Training a Ha'tinre (4)

Author's note:

Next part of Shime's story. She's so confused. And she's very naughty. As for Higzashi, wouldn't you be a cold jackass if you had to watch everyone you loved wither away and die from old age while you stayed young? So don't hate him too much.




Shime was learning how to eat her food slowly. It was a challenge, but when she ate her food so fast, she'd have to sit there and wait for Higzashi to finish, and he liked to take his time. She would always fidget and he'd chide her teasingly about it. After another week, she was starting to eat much more slowly. She found she felt better when she did.

"I think I have an idea for today's training," he told her as they ate breakfast.

Shime glanced up at him. Her eagerness was most endearing. He smiled as her leg started to bounce rapidly under the table in excitement. "What's that?"

He grinned in amusement. "You'll see when we're finished with our food. And wolfing it down like that isn't going to make me eat any faster." Shime pouted, which made Higzashi laugh. He waved his spoon at her. "You should be aware, I raised twin daughters, I know that trick all too well. It does not work on me."

Giggling, Shime drank her juice. "Where are your daughters, Master Higzashi?"

Higzashi suddenly seemed thoughtful. Then he seemed sad. "I'm not entirely sure. Last I had heard of them, they had joined the Torak Lakus. I told them I didn't approve. We had an argument, and they haven't spoken to me since."

Shime looked down at her food. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up sad memories."

Again Higzashi waved his spoon at her. "Quit that or I'll be forced to torture you again."

For some reason, that made her laugh. She looked at him from under her long lashes. "Sorry." She stuck the tip of her cute pink tongue out at him.

Higzashi had a massive grin on his face. He knew her game. "Alright, little one. Let's make a deal. If you can complete the task I have in mind for you by a certain time, then I'll be entirely at your command for the rest of the night."

Shime stared at him wide eyed. "Really?" He nodded, a wry grin showing one of his fangs. "Anything I want?" Again he nodded.

"However, the same goes for you if you are unable to complete the task. Then you'll be entirely at my command. Do you think that's fair?" He started to eat his food again, watching her closely.

She smiled. "I think I like the thought of you being under my control." She stuck her tongue out at him again teasingly. He chuckled and continued eating. Of course Shime was finished long before him, but she sat back, giggling childishly to herself as she thought of all that she could make Higzashi do. Thus far, her training had been learning to fight and gaining more endurance. She was already getting better with her running. She wasn't nearly as winded as she had been the first time Higzashi had made her run around the house.

Finally, Higzashi was finished with his meal. After putting away the dishes, he led Shime to the end of the village. There was a long house she had heard no one lived in. It was for training purposes. Now, they stood at the door. There were several locks on the door. Higzashi stopped, a smug look on his face. "There's a maze in there, and at the end there is a prize. There are plenty of dead ends and false rooms. The whole place is trapped. The goal is to get the prize without setting off a single trap." He chuckled at her expression.

"How... how do I do that?" She suddenly didn't feel so confident.

"Most of them are motion detectors and lasors. If you can avoid them, you can get through without a hitch. However, I will know if you set one off. They are very loud. There are also cameras that you have to avoid being seen, doors you have to unlock, and weight sensors in the floor." He handed her a small tool. "This is for picking the locks. Everything you need to get through the house undetected is in there, you just have to use that wonderful mind of yours and problem solve."

She gulped. "How long do I have?"

"Six hours." He chuckled at her. "Most of the other students take that long on their fifth attempt. Time starts when you get the front door open without setting off the alarm."

Shime pursed her lips, glancing at the door. Then she got an idea. She muttered a few words under her breath. A pleased look crossed her face when all three locks clicked at once.

Higzashi glared at her. She felt his hand cuff her on the back of her head, making her squeak in surprise. She looked at his disapproving eyes, suddenly ashamed of herself. "Magic use is forbidden in this test, Shime. Don't do that again."

"Yes, Master," she whimpered, looking down. "I'm sorry, Master Higzashi."

He shook his head. "No need to be sorry. Just don't do it again." He went to the door, locking it again before stepping down and standing near her again. "So, our deal still stands?" She seemed disheartened by his scolding so he thought to cheer her by reminding her what was at stake.

"I'd rather try to fight Master Valenis again," she mumbled mostly to herself. Higzashi had not lied about the fighting prowess of the Vorishki. No matter how many times she'd tried to fight him, she had never even managed to get a blow in.

Higzashi came up beside her, his body brushing against hers. She gasped when she felt his hand grab her ass teasingly. "Don't you want me to be entirely under your control for a whole night?" he rumbled in her ear. He snickered when she glanced up at him.

"You'll be too tired to train me tomorrow!" With that, she stomped over to the door.

"Have fun, then!" Higzashi waved, chuckling to himself as he walked away, heading to the training field where the boys were jogging around. He stood at the edge of the field for awhile.

Jabis had recovered from Shime's torture spell. He was wary around Shime now, keeping his mouth shut. He was Malorisk's student, but Higzashi was starting to think the boy would not be a good candidate for the final test. He was so very arrogant. Someone who thought they were better than the test never passed it. It was targetted to an individual's mental state more so than their physical abilities. That took a little longer to train. A Ha'trin could not be considered fully fledged for at least 5 years. Some took longer, but never less. Ha'tinre had a similar training time. They had to learn all their spells, counter spells, prove that they are cruel enough, violent enough, cold blooded enough to accept the magic that would keep them in the service of the Ha'tinre order for the rest of their lives. There was no leaving the Ha'tinre, unlike the Ha'trin. Amongst the Ha'tinre, retirement was a knife in the gut. Once you were too old to fight back, you were disposed of. And there was no option to hide. They could track their own, no matter where.

Higzashi sighed. He knew he had taken a risk in keeping Shime here, but his gamble had paid off. Tarnrax wouldn't have bothered tracking her down. He had his own clan to torment, and what would it matter to him if Shime was captured by Ha'trin? Hell, what would it matter to him if she became a Ha'trin? Just one more reason he could consider her weak and try to kill her. And no doubt he would enjoy killing her, probably slowly.

The thought made Higzashi's skin crawl. He was jaded, but he wasn't cruel or cold blooded. After finding his first mate dead in their home, and watching his next two grow old and wither away, he just couldn't allow his heart to break anymore. After that, he kept his heart closed, but had learned how to fool his mates into thinking he loved them. His offspring, though, they were different. They would hopefully outlive him. He found his mind wandering to his daughters. He had enjoyed raising the twin girls. He prayed that wherever they were, they would be safe. He had to smile, hoping that he'd get the chance to raise another girl.

"Where's Shime?"

Higzashi shook his head, turning to Denzin. "In the trap house."

His son glanced toward the long house. "How long she been in there?"

Glancing up at the sun, Higzashi grinned. "I'd say about an hour."

"This her first time in there?" Denzin sounded shocked.

Higzashi nodded with a chuckle. "I was certain she'd make it through at least half of it. She's got quite the brain in that innocent little skull of hers."

Denzin made an amused sound, causing Higzashi to glance at him quizzically. "She's got one hell of a dirty mind, if you ask me," he snickered.

Higzashi raised a brow. "Oh? Does she?" He turned away when Denzin suddenly seemed nervous. "I only brought her here just three weeks ago and already she's turned into a seductress." His tone then became teasing when he glanced at his son again. "I knew I needed to be careful letting you two spend time together."

"Hey now. You think I'd go pissing in your territory?" Denzin frowned.

"Interesting choice of words, but no, I don't think you would," Higzashi said, glancing at him with narrowed eyes. "Shime is not my territory. She's Ha'tinre, and among them the females are not monogamous, nor are they so scared of their men as they appear to be with Tarnrax. It's uncommon for a male to even be the Grand Master of a Ha'tinre clan." Again Higzashi glanced at his son, this time with a solemn expression. "It doesn't matter to me whether you are developing feelings for her or not. You were the one who expressed concerns for not making her an enemy greater than the one we're facing and that's exactly what I'm ensuring. However, if you go sticking your nose and other parts of your anatomy into my plan, you may confuse her and disrupt my carefully laid out strategy. So I would suggest you think about your actions."

Denzin sneered at him. "I take it back. You aren't nearly as nice as I thought. But arguing over your schemes is not why I came to talk to you. Eldris still hasn't returned from his mission. I'm starting to think one of the Ha'tinre got him."

"Wasn't he suppose to protect some kind of amulet or trinket? It had magical properties, if I recall what the informant told me," Higzashi responded thoughtfully.

Denzin shrugged. "I just know he's been gone longer than the contract called for and he hasn't contacted us at all."

Before Higzashi could respond, there was a loud siren from the trap house. Grinning, Higzashi turned to head toward it. "We'll discuss that later. But looks like I win," he snickered. "She got a good way through, though. I have no doubt if she was allowed to use her magic she'd've made it all the way through."

"Wait, what do you win?" Denzin blinked in surprise.

Higzashi snickered again, walking away as Shime came stumbling out the front door of the trap house. She looked terribly chagrin. "Whatever I want," he called back to Denzin, leaving it at that.

He didn't see the contempt on Denzin's face or hear him mutter, "bastard." Then Denzin turned on his heel, heading back to his own house.

"Can't I try again?" Shime asked hopefully, following Higzashi back to the house.

He snickered. "Eventually. But you can only try once a day. Things have to be rearranged so it's not the same the next time you go in. The objective is to be able to get around all methods of detection, whether primative or sophisticated." He held the door open for Shime, allowing her to enter. When she sighed, he patted her shoulder. "It's still early in the day. The deal was for the evening, little one." He grinned teasingly at her when she glanced up at him.

"Then what are we going to do the rest of the day?" She stepped into the house.

Once he'd closed the door, Higzashi turned her to look at him. His expression was soft. "You and I are going to work on your fears." His voice was gentle, and so were his hands as he took hers, holding them up between them.

"What?" Shime looked up into his eyes, baffled.

"Do you remember your... flashback the second day you were here?" Slowly, Shime nodded. "I thought it would be a good time to work on the trigger for that. It occurred when I grabbed your wrists and held them over your head. You had the same kind of panic when I first held your wrists to chain them down. Having that kind of fear certainly isn't helpful if you find yourself in an unarmed fight."

He could feel Shime's body start to tremble. She stared down at their hands. Her palms lay against his. His skin was warm, his voice reassuring. "We can go slowly. There's no need to rush or feel pressured. If you feel it's too much, just tell me to stop. Are you willing to do this? It will help get that madman out of your head."

With a deep breath, Shime nodded. She felt Higzashi's hands slowly start to move, running his fingertips against her palms. Then they moved up, running along her wrists. It felt good, not threatening as she had always felt whenever Tarnrax had even gotten near enough to snatch her as he normally had.

Higzashi moved gradually, taking his time. He was waiting for her to relax, to stop looking so expectantly at his hands. She was no doubt waiting for the pain she had been so accustomed to. So he slid his fingers up along her arm, then down again along her wrists and palm. He knew this couldn't be hurried. It also couldn't be done in just one session. But, as long as they at least started, she could heal faster. It would do neither her nor anyone else involved any good if she froze up and reverted back to her terrified state if she were facing Tarnrax and he happened to get ahold of her.

"Remember," he said softly, "you can tell me to stop anytime." She nodded, glancing up at him.

Carefully, Higzashi wrapped his hands around her wrists. It was a loose grip, without any pressure. Shime stared at his hands, trying to keep her breathing steady. It wasn't Tarnrax holding her, she told herself over and over. It was Master Higzashi, he wasn't going to hurt her. Higzashi was watching her face closely. He was looking for any sign of distress so he could back off before she got to the point of telling him to stop.

Slowly, he moved her arms by his light grip on her wrists. First, he kept their arms low, moving her arms apart then close together. Gradually, he lifted her arms. The process was slow, his eyes always on her. They finally got to shoulder height. He noticed her heavy gulp, her breathing quicken. He brought their arms down again, waiting for her to calm down. When she seemed stable again, he brought their arms up. He held her wrists up in front of her face.

"You see, little one, no harm comes from this." His voice was low and gentle. "All that you remember, they are memories. They're in the past. None of what happened can harm you again, not unless you let them. Tarnrax is far away. Here, you're safe from him physically. You are the one allowing him to keep tormenting you in your head."

Shime blinked a few times, trying to prevent herself from crying. "I remember so much," she whimpered.

Higzashi placed her hands together in front of her face, making her glance up at him. "Do not remember those times as moments of weakness and pain. Think of them as the times you proved your strength by not breaking."

With a gulp, Shime nodded. Slowly, Higzashi raised her arms over her head. Once her elbows were past her shoulders, though, he saw the fear flash in her eyes. She jerked back, whimpering, "Stop! Please stop!"

Higzashi released her immediately. Shime lowered her arms, placing her face in her hands as she backed away, leaning back against the table. She felt Higzashi hold her tightly, letting her sob. She felt his large hand stroking her long hair. She'd started tying it back into a loose tail.

A few minutes went by before she heard Higzashi's pleasant, soft voice. "Tell me what went through your mind when I did that, little one."

Sniffling, Shime glanced up at him. "I... I remember when... when Tarnrax chained me. He would chain me up and...." She couldn't keep talking, her whole body wracked with sobs. Higzashi held her tightly, letting her cry. She could not heal if she kept it pent up.

By the time she had told him of the things Tarnrax had done to her, it was growing late. Higzashi listened to her intently, a slow anger building in him. If he thought he could get close enough to Tarnrax himself, he would do it. But he knew the likelihood of Tarnrax dropping his guard enough for a Ha'trin to get near him was very unlikely.

Shime was exhausted by the time she had gotten out her grief. Higzashi made them dinner and then told her to go to bed.

"What about our deal?" she asked softly.

Higzashi shook his head. "Don't worry about it, dear heart. I was using it more to get you motivated."

"Oh." Shime shrugged, standing to go into the bedroom.

Higzashi pursed his lips, staring at her with a burning gaze. "Don't tease, little one."

Raising her brow, Shime shrugged again. She stood at the door of the bedroom looking back at him. "That's not teasing, Master Higzashi." Then her eyelids lowered in a seductive expression. That enticing tongue slipped from her lips, licking sexually along her hand and fingers that were resting on the frame of the doorway, watching Higzashi's expression with satisfaction. "That's teasing," she stated with a quick flash of her teeth. "Good night."

Higzashi had to take a deep breath, trying to calm his raging hormones. He usually didn't have trouble with that, but something about Shime set him on fire, and he found it difficult to concentrate around her. After a few moments, though, he decided he would find out if she was just ruffling his feathers or if she was serious about spending the rest of the evening enjoying each other.

When he peered into the room, Shime lay in the middle of the bed on her stomach, the blanket only reaching her thighs, leaving her perfectly rounded ass for his eyes to feast on. A slow, sadistic grin split his face. She was definitely well versed in the art of seduction.

Without hesitation, Higzashi removed his clothing, moving silently. He slid into the bed with Shime, his hand caressing her smooth back. His lips followed suit, feathering kisses over her back and shoulders. He smiled when she squirmed. She was pretending to be trying to sleep, and he knew it. "Do not think I would let you get away with such a show," he rumbled into her ear. His hand slid over her down to her rump, squeezing the firm flesh, making her gasp a little.

"But, Master Higzashi," she whined softly, "you told me to go to bed."

"And that's exactly where you are, little one," he purred hotly in her ear. "In my bed."

She turned her head to look up at him. "Do you like having me in your bed?"

With a grin, Higzashi pressed his hard length against her side. "Does that answer your question, dear heart?" Shime smiled slyly. With a chuckle, Higzashi kissed along her spine. "You are dangerous, dear one."

"I'm the snake in the bed, remember?" she giggled childishly.

For a second Higzashi paused, recalling his comments about her. Before he could blink, she pounced on him, straddling his hip. She grinned down at him. "You look surprised, Master Higzashi," she said silkily.

He had to take a breath to calm his pounding heart. Closing his eyes a moment, he let Shime lower her body over him, her lips kissing around his throat as she rubbed her opening against his length. Then Higzashi laughed, running his fingers through Shime's hair that tickled his broad furry chest. "Because you are full of surprises, my dear," he said breathily.

Shime smiled down at him. "Is that good?"

Higzashi grinned as he drew her down to a kiss. "It's perfect."

As he kissed her fiercely, he moved his hips, impaling Shime. She gasped against his lips, her whole body shuddering. His hands traveled down her soft, silky body, resting on her hips as he helped her with the pace. Shime was soon lost to the sensation, riding him easily.

Higzashi watched her lithe body move and grind, smiling when she brought herself to climax on him. But in the back of his mind, a nagging little voice told him that he had to tread carefully. She was learning to be even better than he had intended. However, for right now, she was still too innocent to think to use her abilities for killing. She truly had turned into quite a seductress, and Higzashi didn't mind in the slightest.

Again, Shime shuddered, her eyes rolling back with a moan. Grinning, Higzashi reached up and pressed lightly against her neck. The resulting extra dose of endorphins caused Shime to cry out, her body wracked with convulsions in an orgasm more intense than any she'd had yet.

When it finally passed, Shime leaned over him, panting heavily, her head hanging down, her whole body left weak in it's wake. She heard him chuckle at her. Then he slapped her ass, making her yelp in surprise. "I didn't say you could stop, dear heart," he purred.

"I... I can't..." Shime panted, looking down at him.

"What happened to making me too tired to train you tomorrow, hmmm?" he teased.

With a groan, Shime let her arms give out, sinking down to lay on top of Higzashi. He ran his fingers through her hair, brushing it out of his way as he peered down at her. Her face and chest were flushed brightly in her arousal. "Don't tell me you're done," he spoke softly as he caressed her. When all he got was a quiet moan, he chuckled. "Mind if I finish?"

She peered up at him sleepily. "You did win the bet, Master Higzashi."

"True," he admitted, though he sat up slightly to kiss her sweaty forehead. "But I'm a Jrahkel. I'm no good at bossing around women."

Shime giggled. "You boss me around just fine."

Higzashi growled, turning them suddenly. "Very well, little one. If you want to play it like that!"

Shime moaned loudly as he started to stroke within her, lifting her long legs and placing them over his shoulders. He leaned over her, kissing her hard. His fingers intertwined with hers, pushing her hands to the bed, leaving her helpless to his powerful desire. After he felt her body tighten and gyrate a few more times, he allowed himself the luxury to relieve his burden.

Rolling off her, Higzashi tried to catch his breath, feeling Shime snuggle up to his side. She was almost immediately asleep. He smiled, turning to her, holding her close to his body.

*****************************************************************************

Mornings were all the same. Wake up with the sun, stretch, a quick jog around the town, a little bit of a workout, and then breakfast.

Shime stretched next to Higzashi, making certain her legs were nice and loose. Nearby, she could hear Valenis laugh. She glanced over at the giant. He was speaking with Denzin. Even bent in half, Valenis was taller than anyone else there.

She had discovered that the Vorishki's third eye was not connected to the other two. It could move on its own, keep a lookout even while the other two would be focused on something else. And that third eye noticed her looking at him. He turned and smiled at her. "Good morning, Shime. How are you this fine cool day?"

Shime smiled. "Feeling like I could win a race!"

Denzin laughed. "I think we're all smart enough not to race you, Shime."

She pouted. Valenis chuckled. "I think I could give you a little bit of a challenge. I have never raced a Zaz before, so why don't we see if I can keep up?"

Now Shime beamed. "OK!"

Higzashi glanced between them with a raised brow. "This should be an interesting show."

The other Ha'trin agreed, standing aside to allow the two to come forward. Valenis used his two thick toes to draw a line in the ground. "We will start and end here. Let's say, three laps. Sound good to you, Shime?"

Grinning ear to ear, Shime nodded, standing at the line. She bowed forward, her legs stretched back in anticipation of running. Higzashi raised his hand. "No cheating, Valenis," he said, glaring at the giant.

"I do not cheat. I just tip the odds into my favor," Valenis chuckled.

Rolling his eyes, Higzashi lowered his hand. His hand never got the chance to make it all the way down before they were both gone, a gust of air the only indication they'd ever been there at all. The other Ha'trin laughed, finding this to grand entertainment. They had come to accept Shime and found her amusing.

There was another gust of air in only a couple of minutes. They barely caught a glimpse of Shime's ponytail as she easily dodged through people, making a show of her newfound agility and atheletism. Soon behind her was Valenis, already lagging behind.

Once again they went around. A few minutes again and Shime stopped just short of the line Valenis had made. Though she panted, she crossed her arms and looked up at the sky as if impatient. "I wonder where he went?"

"That's so not nice," Denzin laughed. "Valenis is getting old. You shouldn't tease him like that."

"Old, maybe." Valenis slowed and stopped near Shime, peering down at her cautiously. "But I don't lose."

"Oh?" Shime turned to step over the line. Something caught her foot and jerked her back. Off balanced, she fell over. Valenis' hoof-like, two-toed feet strode past her over the line.

"Should not taunt your enemies, small one. While you're busy gloating, they're busy plotting your demise." Valenis laughed, stretching out his legs again.

Shime picked herself up from the ground, glaring up at the giant. "That was cheating!"

"That was putting the odds in my favor," Valenis snickered.

Higzashi laughed. "That was impressive. Now I think you two can wait around while the rest of us get in our exercise." With that, the others turned away and jogged off.

"I'm going to go eat," Valenis stated as he stood up and headed for his home. "I have not run like that since I was on my homeworld. I fear the gravity here is not kind to me."

Standing alone, Shime let out a deep breath. She wandered over to the obsticle course out of bordom. Picking up one of the sticks that served as the practicing swords, she swung it around absently.

"Careful how you swing that."

Shime whipped around, swinging her stick. Denzin caught it in his hand easily. He smiled at her.

"Aren't you suppose to be running, too?" Shime asked, holding onto her stick.

Denzin shrugged. "I think I'm in good enough shape that I don't have to bother with it every single day."

Shime snorted, grinning at him. "You think so?"

"Don't go getting haughty, kid," Denzin laughed. He suddenly jerked the stick, catching her off guard. She stumbled forward, trying to stop herself. Instead, she found herself in Denzin's arms. He helped her get her feet back under her. She glanced up at him with a sneer. There was a soft expression in his eyes before he laughed. "See? Told you."

Again Shime snorted. "You caught me off guard!"

"Then don't ever be off your guard." Shime found herself pressed up against the climbing wall, Denzin's strong body preventing her from escaping. He grinned at her surprised expression. "Did it again."

Shime suddenly smiled seductively. She pressed her body against his, her face leaning forward to nuzzle against his throat. Denzin was frozen in place, stunned by this abrupt change. He didn't have the time to contemplate what was going on before he felt something hot and moist slither into his ear.

Shime guffawed when Denzin leapt back with a cry of disgust, his whole body shuddering uncontrollably as he dug at his ear to stop the sensation. "Now who dropped their guard?"

If he hadn't been so busy being entirely grossed out by a tongue in his ear, Denzin might have thought to pursue the matter. Instead, he shook his head violently, his line of feathers rustling in displeasure.

"What are two doing?" As always, Higzashi's approach was silent and startling.

After Shime jumped and glanced at him, she giggled and pointed at Denzin. "I licked his ear again, Master Higzashi. Just for good measure."

Denzin growled as he twisted his finger in his ear. "That is truly the most disgusting thing I've ever felt in all my life."

His father chuckled at him. "I would have thought you'd've learned your lesson the first time, son."

"He needed a reminder of why I'm better!" Shime piped, grinning in amusement.

"Better?" Denzin sneered. "I wouldn't go that far. Crafty Ha'tinre, for sure."

After a little laughing, Higzashi glanced between them. "Well, since I have you two here, I just thought I'd let you know I was going to go out and see if I can't find Eldris. Taking Valenis with me. So that means that you are going to be in charge of Shime's training until I get back."

Shime blinked and looked up Higzashi. "How long will you be gone?"

He shrugged. "Anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. Depends on how long it takes to find out what happened to our brethren. So I expect you two to be on your best behavior." He glared pointedly at Denzin.

"I'm always good!" Shime giggled.

"Ha! Good at being evil!" Denzin half snarled, half grinned.

Higzashi rolled his eyes. "Do not make me regret my decision. Now come, little one. I don't leave until tomorrow, which means we still have some training to do today."

****************************************************************

Denzin patted Shime on the side of the face, grinning down at her. "Still forgetting to keep up your guard."

Shime squirmed against him, but he had her in the dirt too well. They had only said good bye to Higzashi not more than a few minutes ago and already Denzin was enjoying himself far too much.

"That's not fair! You didn't tell me we were going to fight!" she growled.

"Tell me, Ha'tinre, would you warn me that you were about to attack me?" He snickered at her.

With a snarl, Shime lifted her legs, kicking her feet along Denzin's back. Again he laughed at her. Even though she knew it'd do no good, Shime muttered words of magic out of frustration. Denzin just shook his head with that arrogant expression of his. "Tsk, tsk, Shime. You should know better."

Despite his teasing tone, he finally stood up off her, pulling Shime to her feet. Rising so fast, Shime nearly lost her balance, holding Denzin for support. He smiled mockingly at her. "You're lucky I'm a nice guy."

"There's not much nice about you!" she retorted.

"Oh, well, in that case, I think Higzashi's been too soft in his training. I think it would do you some good to step it up!" He laughed loudly and turned away.

Shime groaned, regretting opening her mouth.

By the time the evening came, Shime was certainly tired. Tired of being thrown in the dirt over and over. She just knew the first time they had fought, Denzin had allowed her to win. Now he wasn't letting her win. And she never did. No matter how fast she tried to move, he was able to predict her attacks. He never let her get behind him. He would keep himself backed up into areas that forced Shime to move slowly. That was the frustrating part.

Standing under the hot stream of water, Shime's nimble fingers worked at the knots in her tight shoulders. She let out a long sigh. She definitely preferred Master Higzashi's training. And he also kept his son in check. Without him, Denzin could be quite sadistic.

After she'd dried off and was laying in the bed alone, she realized how much she missed having someone to sleep next to. The bed felt so empty and cold. It took Shime a long while to fall asleep, and even then it was fitful and restless, filled with images of her life before this.

Finally, Shime sat up, rubbing at her tired eyes. Glancing at the window told her it was just before dawn. Her muscles felt stiff. With a groan, she laid back out in the bed, staring up at the ceiling. She already missed Higzashi. The few other times she had woken up this early, she had snuggled against his side and woken him up with gentle nuzzles. He had smiled and turn toward her to hold her close.

"What's the matter, little one?" he had asked softly, burying his nose in her hair.

"Bad dreams," had been her answer each time, for that had been the truth.

His gentle hands had run over her body soothingly. "I'll make them go away for you, dear heart," he had whispered in her ear, his fingers dancing over her skin, finding their way between her thighs. It never took her long to forget the dreams that plagued her, his fingers playing magic on her loins.

No matter how she tried, her own fingers just couldn't seem to get quite the same reaction. Certainly it felt good, her fingers quickly becoming slick with her own fluids, hips jerking up in a steady rhythm, but it just wasn't the same. She could feel climax right there, so close and yet she couldn't seem to get herself to it.

A presence in the room made Shime's eyes snap open. Looking down the length of the bed, her heart leapt into her throat, causing her to sit up. "D-Denzin!"

Indeed Denzin stood there, his dark eyes locked intently on her. There was a lustful hunger in his gaze that caused Shime to shudder and tingle all over. She reached for the blanket to cover herself. Before she could even grab the blanket, Denzin had moved over her. She tried to protest but his lips pressed against hers feircely, devouring her involentary wanton moan.

Before she was able to think, she felt Denzin's strong fingers slide up her inner thigh, touching her intimately. They were quickly covered in her slick nectar, plunging deeply into her. Shime's body arched, a moan forcing itself way out, her whole body feeling hot. His fingers moved within her rapidly and expertly, causing her to whimper with humilation and burning desire. It was the combination that made her even wetter, panting against Denzin's lips until her toes curled, her passage tightening around his fingers in an intense orgasm. She let out a stifled cry, her hands clutching the sheets of the bed.

It wasn't long or difficult for Denzin to remove his loose morning clothing, pulling Shime tightly against his hard, strong body. His lips moved along her neck, nipping and kissing around her shoulder.

"D-Denzin, wait," Shime panted, her voice husky and needful. In answer, he bit the side of her neck, causing her to shiver and moan, all but melting into his embrace. It was difficult to remember what she wanted to say, but she forced herself to focus despite the feeling of his throbbing manhood against her thigh, her slit aching desperately to be filled by it. "What will Master Higzashi say?" she whispered lustfully.

"There's no need for him to know," Denzin growled in her ear as he nibbled it.

He laid her back onto the bed, his body moving to position himself to slide into the moist heat of her body. As he stretched her, Shime moaned and jerked back up against his hip, her knees bending up to grip him and allowing him further into her. All thought left her mind, instinct taking over, all of her senses focused on the smell of him, the taste of him, the feeling of him deep inside and his hands all over her body.

He thrust into her powerfully as her body arched and undulated under him, waves of intense pleasure bringing her again and again to dark rapture, moaning into Denzin's ear. He kissed her passionately, possessing her mouth with his. He was steadily gaining speed with his thrusts, his groans mingling with her own sounds of passion.

With a final thrust, Denzin growled, biting Shime's shoulder again. She panted and squirmed under him, her arms wrapped around his neck. As he slowly withdrew, Shime was able to gradually get her mind focused. A sudden flood of regret and shame shot through her, making her wiggle under Denzin. He looked down at her, panting to gain his breath back. Shime blushed brightly, not meeting his gaze. He lowered his head to nuzzle against her throat, gently nibbling her ear.

"Are you regretting?" he asked softly.

"I... I don't know," she whispered. She wasn't sure why she would be ashamed. It wasn't as if she was Higzashi's mate. He hadn't said anything about even having feelings for her. Why should she feel regret for what just happened?

Slowly, Denzin sat back, drawing Shime against his body, kissing her forehead. "Did you not enjoy what we did?"

Shime shuddered in memory. She buried her face into his broad chest. "I-I enjoyed it."

"Then why regret it?" He continued to hold her tightly, his head against hers so his mouth was beside her ear as she avoided eye contact by keeping her face leaning against his chest.

She sighed deeply, holding him tighter. "You just used me, didn't you? Shouldn't I be ashamed?"

She felt Denzin's hand cup her chin, forcing her face up to look at him, though she still didn't meet his eyes. "I hardly think I 'used' you. Don't you think I rather showed you how I feel about you?"

Shime's eyes flicked to gaze up at him in surprise. "You... but you're so mean to me," she said softly.

Denzin suddenly laughed. Startled, Shime blushed a little in embarrassed confusion. "I throw you in the dirt because I just liked seeing you under me and on your back," he teased, grinning at her. He laughed again when she blushed even brighter. Then he kissed her tenderly, his voice and expression softening. "And now that I've seen you like that, I like you even more."

Again Shime sighed, leaning her head against his chest. "I don't know what to think right now."

His arms tightened briefly, giving her a gentle squeeze. "Don't think too hard on it."

"I don't really feel like training now," she said quietly.

Denzin let out a deep breath. "Alright. I understand." He released her, slipping off the bed, and pulling his clothes back on. As he left the bedroom, he paused a moment as if he wanted to speak. Instead, he glanced back at her before leaving as silently as he had appeared.

Returning to his house, Denzin didn't really feel like doing anything for the day either. He certainly hadn't been planning for what had happened. He'd gone over to find out why Shime wasn't up for the morning routine. Because she was training, she didn't usually have the choice of whether to get up and work out or not like he did. His plan had been to scare her awake if she had still been sleeping. Maybe stick his tongue in her ear for once. Something, anything, not what actually happened.

Thinking back on it, he probably should have known better. He'd knocked quietly, then snuck inside, glancing around. After calling for her, he'd heard a moan from the bedroom. It was then he should have known, but he had been concerned, thinking she was ill or injured. Certainly he should have turned around and walked out when he peeked through the crack of the bedroom door and saw her slender, silky body writhing on the bed, her hands vanishing between those lovely thighs. But he had been frozen by the scene, entirely entranced. Even the scent of her desire hit him a stinging blow in the nostrils that had radiated out through his whole body and straight to his groin.

He'd watched her for several long minutes, soon realizing that she was unable to reach climax. It was at that moment he had made his decision. He wanted to help her reach that state of pure bliss, thinking she deserved it, deserved to know what it felt like to be with someone who actually had feelings for her. Maybe she would sense how he felt and she would decide she didn't want to do what Higzashi said, refuse to go back to Tarnrax.

Of course that was a silly thought, but in the heat of hormones, even the most foolish thought made sense. Now he figured he had destroyed what relationship they had. Not to mention his father would likely be raging mad when he found out. He'd only seen Higzashi truly angry once in his three hundred years of life and he had no desire to see it again.

With a deep sigh, Denzin glanced out the window. He had spent the whole day thinking and fretting, playing around with the "what ifs." Granted, by the time he and Shime had been finished it had nearly been midday. With another sigh, he took a shower and laid down in his bed. He would go and talk with Shime in the morning. Perhaps there was still a chance to fix what he had broken. More than anything, more than even facing his father's anger, he wanted to stay friends with Shime.

A slight rustle snapped Denzin from his dozing state. He drew the small blade he kept at the head of his bed, whipping around in instinct and training, pausing only a heartbeat to see who it was. He blinked in surprise. "Shime? What are you doing?"

She smiled at him fearlessly as she crawled on the bed, his blade light against her throat, her gaze sensual. "I told you if I ever snuck into your room in the middle of the night, it wouldn't be to stick my tongue in your ear." To emphasis, her hand ran down his chest, drawing the blanket from his body. She knelt between his legs, lowering her face to his quickly hardening length. "There's much more interesting places for my tongue to go," she whispered lasciviously, making Denzin grin.