{"sf1_id":13306,"sf2_id":"Vm2Rp40m","title":"Chapter Four: Revelation","author":"The Roseblack Dragon","words":3454,"posted_at":"2006-09-12T17:52:00.000Z","tags":["Dolphin","Feudal Japan","Horse","Hybrid","M/F","Oral","Violence (Not In Yiff)"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/13306-chapter-four-revelation","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/Vm2Rp40m","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/00/ba/00bab4ef-f371-460a-a790-8d6cf277962e","description":"#5 of Tales of Ippon","content":"_Happiness to Destruction, Destruction to Hope..._  \n  \n  \n  \n\"What is the meaning of this?!\" Aritseru was stunned beyond belief. In the middle of a  \nmeeting with his advisors, the doors had been flung open and Shuji Yarimoto, along with  \nUsuyami Shidomori, Stormed in. Behind shuji was the foreign girl, though nobody paid her  \nany mind, for she behaved as a simple handmaid. The Court was agape at the lack of  \nmanners and courtesy, while Aritseru was aghast. Both of the Jirajin Samurai were fully  \narmed, and they both looked quite hostile. The Guards were on their feet, ready to draw, but  \nAritseru held them with an open palm.  \n  \n\"Lord Kajikuro,\" Shuji began evenly, the annoyance or anger audible in his tone, \"You  \nhave some explaining to do.\"  \n  \nAritseru backpedaled quickly, offering a polite bow and a smile, \"You have me at a  \ndisadvantage, Yarimoto... I do not understand what you mean.\"  \n  \nUsuyami's eyes narrowed at the lack of manners from Aritseru, but she held her  \ntongue. She was not a Clan Lord, and so she was outranked. Shuji ignored the targeted  \ninsult and nodded, tossing the freshly removed head of Kuji Morisa toward Aritseru, landing  \nthe thing at his feet. Everyone reeled back at this, for to touch a corpse, or even handle a  \npart of one was something serious. \"This man attacked us. I do believe he is in your service,  \nis he not?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Aritseru clenched his fist, growling, \"Yes, he is. He was ordered to visit you and  \nprostrate himself for attacking you in the street. I did not think he would attack you again.\"  \nAritseru sighed and bowed low, \"Please accept my apologies for this horrible act.\"  \n  \nShuji smirked and nodded, \"Do not trouble yourself, Lord Kajikuro. I do not think the  \nman was himself. His eyes were not that of an enraged killer, but those of a man who was  \nalready dead.\"  \n  \nAritseru straightened, \"What do you mean?\"  \n  \nUsuyami sighed and stepped forward, overstepping her place, but not caring, \"The  \nGasaran clans are gathering. We believe they intend to wipe out civilization as we know it.\"  \n  \nAritseru raised an eyebrow, \"The Gasaran Clans, eh? And why would they unite after  \nthousands of years of infighting?\" He shook his head, smiling, \"No, Shidomori-san, I do not  \nthink we have anything to fear from those rabble here in Eizu.\"  \n  \nUsuyami was about to shout at him when Shuji's hand pressed on her shoulder. He  \nnodded to her and spoke to Aritseru, \"Whether you believe it or not, Lord Kajikuro, An  \namassed force of Gasaran Fanatics will be trouble for any army. In any case, we accept your  \napology for your man's misconduct.\" Shuji bowed, and smirked, \"Now, if you'll excuse me,  \nthere's a festival I'd like to enjoy.\" He nodded to Usuyami, \"Care to join me, Shidomori-  \ndono?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Aritseru ruffled but returned the bow, then interjected, \"Actually, I would like to speak  \nto Shidomori-san, if she does not mind.\"  \n  \nUsuyami sighed inwardly, this was the part she'd been dreading. She nodded to Shuji  \nand smiled, \"I'm sure it's just for a moment. You two go and enjoy the festival, I'll catch up.\"  \n  \nShuji nodded, easily picking up on her mood, and smiled, \"All right.\" He turned to  \nSummer and smiled, \"Shall we go, Natsumi-chan?\"  \n  \nSummer blinked and looked up at being spoken to and smiled, giving a happy; \"Yes!\"  \nThe pair left, and Usuyami sighed, turning back to face Aritseru.  \n  \n\"We will discuss plans for the city later, gentlemen. You may leave.\" Aritseru said  \ntersely, indicating that the advisors were to leave the room without complaint, which they  \ndid. The last left and the maid closed the door from the outside. Aritseru smiled, \"So, you  \narrived a day early... why is that?\"  \n  \nUsuyami sighed, bowing slightly, \"I have been here for two days now, Lord.\"  \n  \nAritseru felt a shiver of rage slither up his spine, but he checked it and nodded, \"I see...  \nyou still did not say why, though.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; She nodded again and spoke calmly, \"I expected you to make a grand fuss about my  \narrival, Lord, and I simply wished to enjoy your city for a bit without being treated in such  \nhigh regards.\" She smiled softly, keeping standing and still, as her training and rank  \ndemanded.  \n  \n\"So what do you think of my city?\" Aritseru leaned on the small table to his left,  \nsmirking. His eyes took in her beauty, drinking of her presence. She was close enough, that  \nif he moved quickly, he could tackle her to the floor and claim her. But that was not what he  \nwanted. He was Aritseru Kajikuro, Lord of Eizu, not some common rapist.  \n  \nUsuyami nodded, \"Honestly, Lord?\"  \n  \n\"Honestly...\"  \n  \nShe sighed and nodded politely, \"I do not like the smell, Lord. I am used to the forges  \nof my Tetsumo, and the masses of people in your city make for a much different smell to the  \ncity.\"  \n  \nAritseru blinked. He had not expected that. A furrow of annoyance crossed his  \nbrow, \"you mean to say my city stinks?\"  \n  \nUsuyami nodded, \"I believe it is only to me, Lord, for none others I know seem to  \nnotice it. Even my retainer, Yanagi, does not mention it.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Aritseru chuckled, \"So, you can take the Smith out of the town, but you cannot take the  \nTown out of the Smith, eh?\"  \n  \nShe returned the smile and bowed politely for a change, \"The Steel of Tetsumo rides in  \nthe Blood of her People.\"  \n  \n\"Truer words I've never heard, Shidomori-san. May I ask where you are staying?\"  \n  \n\"My retinue and I will be lodged at the Inn of The Blue Heron by morning,\" Usuyami  \nnodded.  \n  \nHe raised an eyebrow, inwardly grinning as he sprung his trap, \"Perhaps you would  \nenjoy the Guests area here in my castle? There is room enough for you and your... retinue.\"  \nHe stood slowly, \"And you would have a much better view of the Fireworks over the western  \ncliffs.\"  \n  \nUsuyami grimaced in her mind, cursing the arrogance of the man before her, but she  \nknew it was a formal invitation, and to refuse would be very impolite and dishonorable. She  \nnodded and bowed a bit, \"I accept, but only for a single night. We are to head to Kotumu  \nwithin three days, and there are preparations to be made that regretfully are of importance  \nto my clan, and should not be discussed within these walls.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Aritseru raised an eyebrow, \"You insinuate that I would Spy on you, Shidomori-san?\"  \n  \n\"My father taught me that everyone would Spy on everyone else, Lord. I mean no  \noffense, it is simply my ways,\" she bowed politely.  \n  \n\"Ahhh, Hakkichi-sama was a Great man,\" Aritseru nodded, adapting his snare and  \nsmiling at the fortune she had thrown his way, \"But surely you would not need your entire  \nretinue for a single night's stay in my home?\"  \n  \nUsuyami stiffened, realizing what she had done and sighing, \"Y-yes... you are indeed  \ncorrect... Then I and My retainer would accept your fine hospitality.\" She bowed politely and  \nspoke, \"If you would excuse me, Lord. The Lord Yarimoto is expecting me. I will come again  \ntomorrow evening.\"  \n  \nAritseru nodded, \"I await the hour of your arrival with much excitement, Shidomori-  \nsan.\" Aritseru bowed in return, ad Usuyami left in a hurry. He laughed silently to himself and  \nwaited a moment to signal for one of his maids. She bowed humbly and she spoke to her, \"I  \nwill retire to my room. Send for Kiku and Sika.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; The maid gawked, \"Both of them Lord?\"  \n  \nAritseru glared at her, \"Are you deaf?\"  \n  \n\"Lord!\" she hurried away, bowing low the whole time. Aritseru grinned, tonight he would  \ncelebrate. For tomorrow, Usuyami Shidomori would be his.  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nUsuyami shivered violently. Summer looked at her and blinked, \"You okay, yes?\"  \n  \nUsuyami blinked at the foreign girl's features being brought so close. She was rather  \nstriking, and her appearance certainly was that of a native. Usuyami nodded and smiled, \"y-  \nyes... Just a chill.\"  \n  \nShuji laughed, \"I'd think Aritseru was thinking about you.\"  \n  \n\"Oh, I don't doubt it,\" she hissed.  \n  \nShuji laughed again, his spear resting over his shoulder, \"so how long has he been  \ntrying to claim you?\"  \n  \nUsuyami sighed, \"About three years now.\"  \n  \nSummer blinked, \"Scary Lord want Usu-sama?\"  \n  \nUsuyami blinked at the shortening of her name and laughed a little, \"Yes.\"  \n  \nShuji smiled, \"Hey, look there.\" He had pointed out a festival stall, where they were  \ntossing braided rings of cord over gifts that could be won.  \n  \nSummer giggled and ran over to watch, with Shuji and Usuyami trailing. Shuji put down  \nthe 5 mon for the game, and he got three rings to toss. The first ring bounced just short of  \nhis target, a small dagger with a beautifully painted scabbard. The second toss ringed it, and  \nhe won the knife. With the last toss, he grinned and whinged the ring, making it bounce off  \nthe back wall of the stall and fly right at Summer's head. She squeaked and put her hands  \nup, and the ring went neatly over her hand, ending up on her arm.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"Now THAT is a prize!\" He laughed, making the onlookers and everyone laugh. Summer  \nblushed, and hung her head.  \n  \nUsuyami nudged Shuji's arm, \"you're embarrassing her, you know.\"  \n  \nShuji smiled and grinned, the pleasant mood of the evening starting to hit him, \"well I  \ncould embarrass you, Shidomori-dono.\"  \n  \nUsuyami backed up, blushing and raising an eyebrow, \"what are you plotting?\"  \n  \nShuji laughed and shook his head, \"Nothing at all, Shidomori-dono.\"  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nSika Najiashi smiled at the trembling golden-furred rasagan girl, patting her small  \nshoulder, \"Do not fear, Kiku-chan, The Lord treats his women well. Just remember what I  \ntold you, and you will do fine.\"  \n  \nKiku Sasari blushed and tried desperately to contain her nerves. \"Sika-san, I have  \nnever...\"  \n  \nSika blinked, \"never?\"  \n  \nKiku shook her head as the pair walked along the halls of Eizu castle, the hallways  \nguards eyeing them over, likely imagining what they would soon be doing. Sika was  \nawestruck from the young filly's revelation however, \"But then... how did you come to be  \nhere?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"I... I was always asked to just touch and lick...\"  \n  \nSika nodded, understanding, \"Ahh, I see... Well... I shall let the Lord know.\"  \n  \n\"Thank you, Sika-san.\" And the two went silent as they were let into Aritseru's personal  \nchamber.  \n  \nHe lounged on a large, thick futon, seemingly irritated, \"It's about time...\"  \n  \nSika grimaced inwardly. He was in a bad mood, which meant he would be demanding  \nand rough. \"Apologies, Lord, but we wished to be perfect for you.\"  \n  \nHe glowered and sighed, \"Well, you succeeded.\"  \n  \nKiku bowed, \"Thank you lord.\"  \n  \nSika smiled and knelt behind Aritseru, \"perhaps a massage, my lord?\"  \n  \nHe nodded and sat up, \"That's the best thing I've heard all day...\"  \n  \nSika smiled to Kiku and nodded. The younger girl blushed at her suikajin mentor and  \nshuffled closer on her knees.  \n  \n\"Lord? What would pleasure you tonight?\" Kiku crooned in her sweetest tones, expertly  \nsnuffing the fear in her voice.  \n  \nAritseru smiled, \"I have yet to decide...\" He gave a soft groan as Sika's experienced  \nfingers stabbed the tension out of his shoulders. He took his time admiring the young girl  \nbefore him, glad he had acquired her from the Tea house he had seen her at. He had paid  \nalmost one and a half times what her contract was worth, but he felt it justified now, seeing  \nher unspoiled beauty now before him.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Sika smiled, \"My lord would be pleased to know, Kiku-chan has not known any male in  \nher treasured places.\" She licked at Aritseru's ear playfully and whispered to him  \nalone, \"She is quite nervous, Ari-chan.\"  \n  \n\"I see...\" Aritseru smiled, \"We may well have to change that...\" his tone caused Kiku to  \ngive a slight whimper and squirm a little. \"But, I think I am needing some... 'Other'  \nattentions.\" He reached up and gently caressed the back of Kiku's head, smiling softly as his  \nyukata started to form a bit of a tent in his lap.  \n  \nKiku noticed the cue and blinked at her lord shyly, licking her lips and leaning down,  \npulling the yukata aside to reveal Aritseru's emerging shaft. She paused momentarily, as he  \nwas a bit larger than she had expected, and took a steadying breath, exhaling softly over  \nthe soft-skinned spire before her lips. With a cautious nuzzle, she licked him once along the  \nside, making the lord of Eizu shiver slightly.  \n  \n\"That's a girl...\" he smiled, rubbing between her lowered ears encouragingly as Sika  \nwatched the younger girl over his shoulder. Sika was in her late twenties, but Kiku was just  \nseventeen. The girl showed promise. Sika smiled and embraces Aritseru, pressing against  \nhis back and kissing at his neck while the younger girl took the engorged tip of their lord's  \nlength into her velveteen lips, sucking softly and moaning over his taste.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Aritseru held a soft groan and gave the smaller Kiku a soft nudge to signal her to stop.  \nKiku blinked and tilter her head, licking her lips, \"Lord?\"  \n  \n\"I think,\" Aritseru reached out and touched her cheek softly, \"that it is time you knew  \nwhat a man felt like.\"  \n  \nKiku shivered and tensed, but she could not, and did not wish to, refuse. She gave a  \nsmall nod and looked to Sika, who was already pulling their lord's yukata away, finally  \nrevealing all of him to the younger girl. Aritseru gently laid her back and slipped her kimono  \naside to let him see her unspoiled gate. With a smile and a look to her he leaned in, her  \nscent swimming through his head as he reached out with his tongue and felt himself shiver.  \n  \nSika had felt the shiver too, however, and she blinked, \"Lord... what was that?\"  \n  \nAritseru stopped, bristling at the interruption, but reminding himself it was Sika, so he  \nshould not yell, \"What? I merely shivered in anticipation.\"  \n  \nKiku panted herself calm as the floor gave a violent shudder and the entire castle  \nsounded with a low resonating boom, as if it was a bell, struck by some giant's hammer.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"What in all the...\" Aritseru snarled, getting to his feet and ripping his yukata from Sika's  \nloose grip, pulling it on quickly. He stormed toward the door, but even before he got there he  \nheard the alarm runner yelling down all the halls...  \n  \n\"ATTACK!!! EIZU IS UNDER SIEGE!!\"  \n  \n  \n  \nThe trio walked along until a heavy explosion rocked the festival. Everything stopped as  \npeople looked to see if the fireworks were starting early, but the sounds of screams and  \ncarnage coming from the West gate quickly ceased all wonderment. Shuji bristled and He  \nlooked to Usuyami, \"Go. Find your people and meet me at the East Gate. We're leaving this  \ncity now.\"  \n  \nUsuyami blinked, \"Leaving? But what about the people? What about Aritseru?\"  \n  \nShuji sighed, \"This is His City. He will fight for it. The Gasaran Army attacks now, and  \nwe have our own people to worry about. If we do not escape, others will fall prey to this  \nforce of evil.\"  \n  \nSummer looked on, holding Shuji's sleeve as the sounds of battle and slaughter echoed  \nof the city and over the din of the rush of people to leave the festival for their homes where  \nthey might be safe. Shuji smiles to her and nodded, heading off towards the inn where the  \ntwo of them were staying with her injured travelling companion. Usuyami dashed down the  \nroad towards her inn.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; The Gasaran forces were moving swiftly through the city, massacring all the citizens.  \nMen and boys were slain where they stood or slept, while the women and girls were dragged  \nkicking and screaming back along the offensive force. The fetid stench of fire, blood, grime,  \nand filth hung over the black army of Nezujin Samurai as they carved a sprawling path  \nthrough the City of Eizu.  \n  \n  \n  \nAritseru snarled as he pulled his blade free of the bleeding Rat's torso. These fanatics  \ndared to assault his city? He would make every one of them suffer for the insult they levied  \nagainst him in this attack. Aritseru quickly surveyed the situation. He stood with twelve of his  \nsamurai, facing down a column of well over a hundred Gasaran.  \n  \n\"What now lord?\" the Kibajin on his left asked.  \n  \nAritseru hissed and barked at the worried samurai, \"We fight! We fight and slaughter  \nevery last one of these arrogant fanatics!\"  \n  \nAn arrow whisked in and lodged in the kibajin's throat, killing him instantly, but Aritseru  \ndidn't notice, or care. He was too enraged at the army facing him to care. With a murderous  \nyell he lunged at the samurai facing him and drove through three of them, then stepped and  \nturned, taking the heads of two more. Another arrow sliced through the air, nicking his cheek  \nas he parried the attacks of two Gasaran samurai while a third hewed down the Samurai on  \nAritseru's left, and tried to flank the Lord of Eizu. An arrow screamed down from a rooftop,  \nthe purple fletching catching Aritseru's eye for a moment.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"Lord of Eizu! Your castle burns!\" Usuyami shouted down from her perch on the nearest  \nrooftop, \"The City is fallen! We make for the Lands of Akanti! Come with us and survive to  \navenge this wrong!\"  \n  \nAritseru pushed the few samurai facing him back with a mighty shove and backed a few  \nsteps to shout back at her, \"Coward! I will not RUN! This is MY City! And I shall defend her  \nwith my last breath!\"  \n  \nUsuyami frowned and shouted back, \"Then you shall die under the blades of a Thousand  \nFanatics while they rape your city's women! You are a Fool, Aritseru Kajikuro! And though  \nyou may die with honor, you shall still die a Fool!\" she leapt out of sight, leaving Aritseru to  \nface the Gasaran samurai alone, since they had killed his small band with sword and  \nbowshot.  \n  \n  \n  \nShuji stood at the East gate, with Summer and her companion, James, safely in the  \ncare of the merchant Magura Kibotani, who was also barely escaping the lost city. Usuyami's  \nretainers were gathered there too, the motley bunch of travelers huddled together, waiting.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Usuyami dropped from a nearby roof, grumbling. Shuji looked to her and blinked, \"Is  \nhe coming?\"  \n  \nShe sighed and shook her head, \"No. He's hell-bent on avenging this attack.\"  \n  \nAoi looked up and gasped, \"Kajikuro-san!!\" Several of the maids rushed in offering to  \nhelp the injured Lord as he limped along.  \n  \n\"Back away! I'll not have some servant helping me,\" he hissed.  \n  \nShuji growled, \"They are Samurai, same as you, Kajikuro, and you are injured. Like  \nthat you'll only slow us down, so instead of being a liability, let them help you and we might  \nall survive this mess.\"  \n  \nUsuyami glared at him, \"And if you -ever- shout at my people like that again, the  \nGasaran will be the least of your worries.\"  \n  \nAritseru growled, but kept quiet. He hated the thought of running, but his other option  \nwas to die and be remembered as an idiot. Yes, the death would have been honorable, but  \nhe would still be known as a fool. He surrendered as the maids got under his arms and lifted  \nhim. They were strong for women, the pair easily taking his weight for him and hauling him  \nalong.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Shuji nodded, \"There's guards outside this gate. Gasaran guards... they're there to  \nprevent escape. We're going to surprise them... Yanagi-dono, your Flame Fan. I'll hold the  \ntorch if you would be so kind as to do the honor of helping with the distraction?  \n  \nUsuyami blinked, staring the massive East Gate down. It was easily fifteen feet high,  \nand likely a foot or more thick. Fine oak lapped with steel. \"How are we getting the gates  \nopen?\"  \n  \nOne of her maid nodded, \"We packed the hinges with flashdust, Lady.\"  \n  \nUsuyami blinked again, astonished at their forethought, but then smiled. Flashdust was  \nused in fireworks, and as a distracting agent in some of the ninja techniques she learned  \nfrom her father. Her maids were trained in the used to the explosive powder, so she knew  \nthat when they said they had set things up, she believed them.  \n  \nShuji nodded, \"Once the gates are blown, and Yanagi-dono uses her fan, I'll lead the  \ncharge, with Yanagi-dono and another of the ladies with me. The merchants and injured will  \nfollow. Shidomori-dono, you'll take the rear and provide cover against any chasing parties.\"  \nHe nodded, \"Are we ready?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; The nod was unanimous, and everyone tensed.  \n  \nShuji grinned, \"Then let's get the hell out of here!\" and he touched the torch to the gate  \nhinges.  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Tales of Ippon","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/9779-chapter-three-foreshadows.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/13321-chapter-five-complications.json"}}