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Revenge, Inc. Part 15: A Short Story
Author's Note:
Hello everyone and welcome back. For the third straight week, I'm late in publishing another installment. Just to let you know, each of these installments are not easy to write and I highly suggest that NONE of you try it, as I usually write these within forty-eight hours upon publication! The other one-hundred and twenty hours is spent contemplating just one simple question: "What happens next?" I tossed and turned with this one and in the end, came up with the necessities of what needs to be established before this story finally does come to a close. I sure do hope that you like this segment and hope that you enjoy it as much as I did while writing it. I'd like to thank my good friend Useful Knowledge for supplying the "premise" for writing this particular installment. As always, I thank all of you for reading this and following this series. I really do appreciate it.
-ODP
Now, if you have not already, please read the preceding installments of Revenge, Inc. beginning of course with Part 1. Thank you again.
Two Kinds of People
Looking back while looking out from the stern of the Kigero, I watched JiraiIsland as it faded from view along with the oncoming darkness. For miles and miles around us, there was nothing by dark, peaceful sea. If was difficult to tell exactly where the rising smoke of ashes ended and where the sky began. As I stood there, leaning against the railing, Natsumi came out to join me, albeit very quietly. She slowly slid her fingers through mine without saying a word. For a moment in silence we held each other’s hands while taking in the view as the wind fluttered around us in a calm serenity. I then became hesitant and suddenly aware of where I was and what I was doing.
“Katsuro,” I said. She shook her head.
“He’s fast asleep as all of us should be. All three of us have not slept for almost two days now—you realize that don’t you?” I smiled.
“Would you like to sleep with me?” She looked out in the direction of Jirai Island.
“You know that’s not possible Cody…Or is it Marak now?”
“I guess it all depends on how I feel.”
“Can you really live the life of two different people, Cody?”
“All of us do you and you know that. Each side compliments and contradicts the other and in doing so, creates balance.” Natsumi smiled.
“Did my father teach you that?”
“No, it’s just an observation…Do you prefer me as Cody or Marak?”
“Don’t ask questions you already know the answers to, gai jin.” I laughed and she joined in. It was the first time either of us did so in recent memory.
“Did you learn that from your brother?”
She became quiet and let go of my hand. And maybe it was best that she did, as my hands were getting a bit clammy. At first I thought she simply no longer wanted at all to be intimate. But instead of backing away from me, she moved closer to me and placed her arms around me. Never had I ever thought that the smell of a woman’s sweat to be sexy. She then pushed my hair to the side so she could better see my eyes and I could better see hers. I was immediately surprised by the firmness of her breasts against my torso. I felt an immediate sensation, a pleasant sensation wash over me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and wrapped mine around her impossibly narrow waist and in doing so, we pulled one another closer and tighter. I then moved in for the kill. Every thing was fine up until my hands slid down to her buttocks and squeezed.
“Don’t” Natsumi said, taking a step backwards. “I already told you that we can’t.”
“You know, I was afraid that this was going to happen, yet went on with it anyway.” I then turned away from her and went back to looking out at Jirai Island, just before Natsumi found me that night, but while searching for it, I couldn’t locate it. Jirai Island was gone. It was too dark to see it any case. I couldn’t bear to look at her.
“You think I don’t want to Cody? I do, just as much as you.” I remained quiet. After a time, she then took to my side and placed an arm around my waist and rested her head upon my shoulder and there it stayed for a long time.
American Rock Star
The day before we reached Kyoto, I was anxious to finally touch dry land. I actually was looking forward to seeing a TV set and other signs of technology and civilization. Kyoto was the perfect mix of old and new. It was once the home of the Emperor of Japan and is still to this day is highly esteemed, regaled in excellence. Natsumi brought over a guitar case and placed it on the floor.
“This is for you, Cody.” I didn’t understand.
“What’s this for?”
“It’s for our katanas. You can’t walk around Kyoto carrying a katana for all to see. In case you didn’t know, this isn’t colonial Japan anymore. Besides, ninjas aren’t supposed to exist.”
“But won’t people stare at me and get suspicious of me carrying this case around?”
“I doubt that. Maybe you’re a musician. No one in Kyoto will question an American who’s carrying around a guitar case. They think all American’s like rock music and know how to play a guitar anyway.”
“Is that a stereotype?” Natsumi smiled.
“Yes.”
Paying Back A Favor
After having docked the Kigero, Natsumi and I followed Katsuro to a rundown building in the downtown district Kyoto on foot. There were many street vendors all along the bustling street. It seemed that each vendor was selling a variety of foods like Yakatori and Udon noodles in which you slurped to pay tribute to a chef. The aroma was inviting. I thought to stop by the closest vendor and purchase some but then realized that I neither had any money, let alone Japanese yen, as two years had passed since I purchased anything. You simply didn’t need money on JiraiIsland. I was getting many looks by passersby who first looked first at my face, then at my guitar case, and then at who I was with, especially Natsumi which was understandable. Natsumi scolded one guy who stared a bit too long. I think she told him to Fuck off in Japanese. It wasn’t any phrase Master Akira taught me. Katsuro stopped in front of one building while checking the address on a piece of yellowed-paper.
“Wait here,” Katsuro said to the both of us and then ran inside.
“What’s he up to?” I asked Natsumi.
“He’s finding us a place to stay for the night.” Natsumi then turned to look at me for a moment and then turned away and smiled. She then looked out into the street.
“What is it?” She shook her head.
“Nothing. It’s just that there are many favors that people owe us in Kyoto, did you know that?”
“Really? In what way?”
“C’mon, Cody. You should know better than that. In all fairness, some of these people owe us their lives.”
“So a place to spend the night is not asking for too much.”
“No, I don’t think so.”
Quality Time
Katsuro then reappeared from the building and gave us a nod. We went inside and followed a buff Japanese guy who was wearing sunglasses and a bomber jacket with a Japanese Naval Ensign on the back, much the same design of the Karate Kid’s head band.
“This is Kenji. He can be trusted.” And as if to cement this notion, Kenji gave us a bow and then proceeded by leading us upstairs while carrying Katsuro’s large duffel bag. Apparently, there was no elevator to speak of. In truth, I didn’t think such an old building could support one. Natsumi turned around and looked at Katsuro who was making his way out of the building.
“And where are you going?” She asked him. There was the sound of unmistakable concern in her voice.
“There is some information I need get. If you need anything, Kenji will assist you.”
“He does mean anything,” Kenji reassured her.
“And stop worrying, Natsumi. Everything is fine.” He then gave me a look and then left us with Kenji.
When we got to the second floor landing, Kenji opened a door and we went inside. Although the apartment wasn’t what you’d call a dump, it was far from being a palace quarter, mainly due to its cramped space. There was a living room/kitchen area and enough windows in which to see out into the busy street. Knowing, Katsuro, I was certain that he requested a room with such a view. Kenji then placed Katsuro’s bag inside one of the two bedrooms and turned to Natsumi, saying,
“In the kitchen you will find plenty of food and in the bathroom you’ll find everything is well-stocked. Should you need anything else, please do not hesitate.”
“Thank you,” she said. “You have been very helpful.” Kenji then gave her a nod and left the two of us alone.
I then closed the door and was driving the bolt home when Natsumi pushed me against the door with a thud. I felt a soft bare hand slide inside my pants, which no longer fit like they used to, and then felt the sensation like I was falling. A second thud and then there was the sound rapid footsteps followed by a rapping at the door.
“Is everything all right in there?” Kenji called from behind two and a half inches of wood.
“Yes, everything’s fine!” Natsumi said after coming up for air. She sounded almost convincing enough. I already had her blouse open and was looking to unclasp her bra. When was the last time you did this? I thought. Still, Natsumi’s hand was probing around my downtown area. I wasn’t sure just how long I could hold out.
“Are you sure? It sounded like there’s some trouble inside! Do you want me to come in?”
“Goddamn it,” I said after a few tries and without much luck.
“No, no, everything is fine, Kenji. Thank you for your help!” Natsumi then batted my hand away and undid her bra without any trouble. I immediately went for her nipples and began feeding. I then began to make my way downwards and was enjoying the entire trip when suddenly, Natsumi’s head jerked back and banged against the door again. The sound was much louder than before.
“What? What was that?” Kenji asked again. Natsumi let out a gasp and then another. “Is everything all right?” Kenji was banging on the door yet again. Natsumi then took me by my hand and began to lead me towards the bedroom. Still, Kenji continued banging on the door. After her and I got half way down the hall, I stopped and retracted my hand and began marching back the way we came. Natsumi gave me a look of disappointment.
“Where are you going?” She asked.
“This fucking guy is clueless…Hold on.” I then walked back to the door and opened it up nice and wide. By this point I was completely butt-naked, with the exception of my socks. Kenji was staring straight at me. I placed both my hands on my hips and said,
“We’re really busy right now! Can you come back another time?”
© Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved.
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