by Yuki Edo
Hiro went a little pale as he looked at the water. “Kappa?”
“Maybe.” Masaki took his hand. “Scary bedtime stories?”
Hiro nodded, swallowing. “Kids’ book. Not at all appropriate for kids.”
“It could be anything, so we can’t get in the water.” Masaki pulled Hiro down the bank and pointed to some rocks. “These lead across, and the river’s flow seems gentle. If they’re really rocks, we can get across. But even then the water might rush over us.”
“If they’re really rocks?” Hiro asked.
Masaki picked up a stone and threw it. He did this three more times, testing rocks at different points in the water. “Yes. Could’ve been some kind of monster hiding.”
“Great.”
Masaki lifted Hiro’s chin and kissed his cheek. “We’re going to start. Do exactly as I say if anything happens.” He held up their joined hands. “If you fall in, I’ll find you.”
“I can’t swim,” Hiro said quickly.
“I’ll find you,” Masaki repeated, trying to make Hiro feel his resolve.
After a moment, Hiro nodded. “Let’s go then.”
Masaki tested the first rock carefully. Once they began, they needed to rush across. He pulled Hiro after him once he was three rocks out. “Come, hurry.”
They moved across at a rapid pace, Masaki keeping his eyes to the water. Something moved there, but he didn’t wait to find out what. He breathed a sigh of relief as they reached the other side without incident, believing they’d been given at least a small respite from trickery. But when he tried to walk forward, Hiro wouldn’t move.
Masaki turned, and Hiro stood completely still with his eyes closed. As he looked closer, Masaki noticed a tentacle wrapped all the way around Hiro’s leg. The tip rubbed Hiro’s thigh, where Masaki could see an erection. He didn’t know what kind of creature lurked under the surface, but he knew what it was doing. He unsheathed his katana and severed the tentacle. It jerked and shook and then fell off Hiro.
Hiro blinked as the water bubbled, and Masaki sheathed his weapon and threw his stunned lover over his shoulder. Masaki ran until he could no longer hear the roar that had begun building just as something broke the water’s surface. The trees on this side were sparse, so he covered a great distance in a short time. Once he felt safe, he put Hiro down and made him sit on a rock. They were in a meadow, though the sky remained bleak, the grass dead and the sparse trees rotting where they stood.
“What was that?” Hiro asked.
“Tentacle porn, almost. Are you okay?” Masaki asked.
“What?” Hiro asked, wide-eyed at Masaki’s flippant answer.
“A tentacle had a hold of you, was rubbing you. Your eyes had closed. What do you remember?”
Hiro blinked. “Crossing the water. Then something touched me. Things got … fuzzy.”
“An enchantment maybe. Meant to trap you or distract us. Either way, I got you away from the creature.” Masaki glanced down briefly, but Hiro’s erection had faded. “You’re safe now.”
“Tentacles?” Hiro bit his lower lip. “It had tentacles?”
“One wrapped around your leg, that’s all.”
Hiro swallowed, his face flaming red. “I’ll never do an Internet search ever again.”
Masaki took Hiro’s face in his hands. “It didn’t hurt you. You’re safe. That’s all that matters.” He looked off into the distance and dropped his hands. “And we’re close. I feel it.”
“Then let’s go, before something else grabs me.” Hiro stood and took a deep breath, walking forward.
Masaki followed and scanned the landscape, knowing Kilana would probably be subtler with her next trap, playing on their fears or desires. He also listened carefully as they walked. Kilana could send any number of creatures after them. The mountain soon came within their sight, which only made him tense for the upcoming battle.
Chapter Seven
Hiro still felt little surges of lust as they approached the mountain. He didn’t remember a tentacle grabbing him at all, but he remembered his mind and body filling with the desire to fuck. Perhaps he should’ve told Masaki, but he’d felt too embarrassed. Now, they had other concerns, which he needed to force his lust-addled brain to focus on.
The mountain loomed before them. There was, at least, a trail leading up it, but Hiro wondered about all the traps they’d encounter following it. Would it be better to take another path, actually climb the mountain? Masaki came over and kissed his temple.
“We should rest a moment before we begin,” Masaki said.
That touch of lips on his skin sparked something, and Hiro walked over to Masaki with purpose, wrapping his arms around the man’s waist and pressing to his back. “I’d rather do something else.”
Masaki turned in his arms and gazed down at him. “That thing did affect you.”
Hiro didn’t respond, not with words. He reached up to kiss Masaki, and he found he had to force the embrace. But soon Masaki yielded, kissing him back with fervor. They rubbed against each other, both of them hard now.
“You love me. Tell me again,” Hiro said as they kissed feverishly.
“I do love you, but we need to stop. It’s … we have to go on,” Masaki said, even as he reached down to fondle Hiro.
“It’s not that much farther. Please,” Hiro said. “Let me fuck you.”
Masaki groaned. “It’s a trap.” He reached into Hiro’s loose linen pants and pumped him. “I’ll give you release, but then we must go.”
Hiro panted as Masaki stroked him. He wanted to be inside Masaki, to make him come the way Masaki had made him come. The idea of taking Masaki thrilled him, and he shook his head vehemently. “I want you.”
Masaki withdrew, glancing around, and then he worked at his pants. “She knows I can’t tell you no,” Masaki murmured as he dropped his pants. The strange armor he wore seemed flexible now, moving like ordinary fabric.
Hiro freed his own cock as he came forward, and he smiled as he pulled Masaki down. The older man got on his hands and knees, presenting himself as if his need was just as great. With the katanas still strapped to his back, Masaki made quite a sight. His upper body was still covered in the scale-like armor, his blades ready to be pulled from their sheaths, yet he also looked vulnerable and exposed. It did something to Hiro he couldn’t explain. Hiro bent and tongued Masaki’s hole, loving the gasp he heard escape Masaki’s lips and the way his firm ass flexed as Hiro explored him. Unable to wait, Hiro licked Masaki enough to wet his entrance, and then he slipped his tongue in, thrusting in and out briefly. His body thrummed with need as he got into position and entered the man who’d sucked him into this strange, dangerous world.
“Don’t hold back. Just fuck,” Masaki said when Hiro paused.
Hiro took Masaki at his word and let go, thrusting without inhibition. Masaki’s channel felt like heaven, hot and tight and clenching. Hiro saw pinpricks of light and grew dizzy. He cried out his release, but it wasn’t enough, even as he doubled over from the pleasure. His cock still hard, Hiro kept fucking the kitsune. Masaki moaned and pushed back against him. Hiro’s own cum lubed the way now, and the slick slide turned him on even more.
“So good. I love this,” Hiro said. “Ah!”
Masaki’s channel clamped around him, and Hiro looked down to see the man spill his own seed. This encounter was raw and primal with none of the romance Masaki had offered him. Hiro stilled, coming a second time. Reality seemed to crash around him, and he drew back, unable to enjoy the pleasure this time. He felt cold, a heavy weight settling in his stomach.
“Masaki?” he said, amazed at how small his voice sounded.
Masaki turned, not even bothering to straighten his clothes. “Focus on me, my voice. Are you all right?”
“I’m … sorry,” Hiro said, though he only vaguely knew why. He closed his eyes and rubbed his head, only half believing what they’d just done. The hurried coupling almost didn’t seem real now, yet he knew it had been.
Masaki tucked Hiro’s flaccid cock back into his pants and then righted his own clothes. “Something brought you out of it. Let’s count our blessings.” He drew Hiro to his feet, and they began up the trail once Hiro was steady on his feet.
“No love.”
Masaki turned but didn’t halt his progress. “What?”
“I didn’t feel any love. I was just … fucking.”
“It was a spell, Hiro. Don’t give it any more power. Just keep walking.”
“I’m sorry.”
Masaki did stop this time. “There’s nothing wrong with just fucking. Don’t give her any more power.” He kissed Hiro deeply yet quickly. “Stop it. Okay? I allowed it. I loved what you did to me. No, you weren’t yourself, but it’s not your fault. No apologies. I’m the one who should be sorry for taking you away from your family and your safe life.” He made them start again.
Hiro stayed silent a while. “I’m going to stay because I like you, not because the sex felt good.”
“I know that. You’re not a shallow young man. Being your first was special.” Though he didn’t look back, he drew Hiro’s hand close and kissed it. “I felt what it meant to you.”
“I think I could love you.” Hiro wanted Masaki to understand how much he meant the words, so he tugged on the man’s arm. “I really could.”
Masaki smiled, but his expression held a heavy note of indulgence, as if he were placating a child. “I believe you. Please, I want to take you home. Keep moving.”
Hiro knew with his head that he needed to obey, but the dismissal hurt his feelings. He began to pull away, but he cried out when he turned and came face to face with a ghostly visage. He stumbled back, clutching at Masaki.
“Run!” Masaki said.
Hiro did so, glancing back at the apparition only once. It seemed to be a woman made completely of smoke, but with sharp claws where her hands would’ve been. She had hollow black eyes and wild white hair. He heard her scream and felt her reaching for him, the claws ripping at his clothes. Soon, he heard more than one voice wailing behind him, and without warning, Masaki pushed him to the ground and rolled him into a ditch.
Stunned, Hiro pushed himself up as he panted for breath. When he looked back, he saw Masaki fighting the creatures, burning them with balls of foxfire. As he tried to stand, Hiro felt something wrap around his leg. It looked like a root, and he glanced up to see a tree swaying as if there was a strong breeze. There was no wind of any kind, yet the tree moved even more as he watched. The root began to dig into his skin, and he jerked to get away, but to no avail.
“Masaki! Your katana!” Hiro cried out.
Masaki hesitated, but when he saw what was happening, he unsheathed and threw one of the blades. It landed a foot from Hiro, and he grasped it quickly and hacked at the root. Blood spewed everywhere, but he kept going until he was free and able to roll out of the thing’s reach. He lay in stunned silence, trying to breathe, and he couldn’t move until he felt Masaki lifting him up.
“A jubokko tree. It would’ve suck you dry.” Masaki smiled. “Good thinking.”
Hiro handed the sword back, unable to smile in return. He appreciated the pride he saw on Masaki’s face, but he couldn’t acknowledge it now. “Let’s go. I can’t take much more.”
Masaki transformed again and gestured for Hiro to climb on. Just as he situated himself, more of the screaming ghosts came out of the shadows and from behind the rocks. Hiro grabbed two clumps of fur and pressed against Masaki. “Just go! I can hold on!”
Masaki ran, and Hiro closed his eyes. The screams grew louder and louder, a chill in the air, but Hiro focused on the future he wanted to try for with the man working so hard to save his life. And then peace settled over him, followed by darkness.
* * * *
Masaki used his last ounce of strength to leap through the torii gate, the claws of the smoky yokai digging into his flesh. As he landed, their screams stopped, and the air became warmer, fresher. He heard another blood-curdling scream soon, and he looked up to see Kilana outside the torii gate. Her eyes blazed with fury, her expression one of frustration and disblief.
Masaki moved carefully so that the unconscious Hiro slid off him slowly, and he transformed to face the witch. “It’s over, Kilana.”
She glared at him. “You and your brothers might be safe,” she said, pointing, “but I made no promises about his siblings.” She turned on her heels and stormed away. Mist closed around her, and she was gone.
Masaki’s heart sank as he looked down at Hiro. I should’ve known she’d find another way to hurt us if she lost. Now he would need Inari’s help to protect the Ibuki family. Masaki briefly considered calling on Izanami here in Yomi, but he’d never had dealings with her before. To gain her favor and ask for anything, he might have to sacrifice something precious. He shook his head, unable to risk it lest it involve Hiro. Masaki lifted Hiro into his arms, kissing him. Kneeling before the shrine to Inari, he said, “My lady, take us home.”
The air warmed and whirled around them, and Masaki opened his eyes to see Hiro’s bedroom. Inari, now a man again, came over to him. Inari took Hiro from him and laid the young man on the bed. Kissing him gently on the cheek, Inari touched his heart and then his head.
“He’s unharmed,” Inari said, coming to kneel before Masaki. The kami embraced him and said nothing else.
“The Ibuki family. She threatened them.” Masaki drew back. “As good as it feels to be in your arms, I beg you to go to them.”
“I will always love you, Masaki.” Inari vanished.
Something about the encounter felt like a good-bye, but Masaki shook the feeling away. Hiro stirred on the bed, grunting as he rolled to his side. Masaki went to him, and after rubbing his eyes, Hiro reached into the pocket of the clothes Kilana had put on him. He opened his fist, and Masaki gasped.
“We’re home?” Hiro asked. He blinked at the object. “What’s this?”
Masaki took the ancient candle from his lover’s hand. “Something old and special.” He placed it on the bedside table, his body tingling with power. “But I can explain later. How do you feel?”
“I’m tired but fine. Explain now.”
Masaki caressed Hiro’s hair, checking for a fever and then examining him further for cuts and bruises.
Hiro wiggled to free himself from Masaki’s grasp. “Masaki, tell me.”
Sighing, Masaki said, “While I’ll always be devoted to Inari, I no longer serve her.”
“What? Why not?” Hiro almost looked sad. “I like her. Him. Whatever.”
Masaki held up the candle. “On the first anniversary of our birth, Inari gave us a great present, the ability to be free one day, when the time was right. She gave us each a sacred object, and then she took us to a high tower. She told us to fling the objects into the mist. She said that, when the objects returned to us, we would have free will.”
“Will we see the kami again?”
Masaki smiled. “Oh yes, but now my life will be devoted to someone else, if he’ll have me.”
“You proposing?” Hiro asked softly.
Masaki laughed. “I think it will be a long time before two men can marry in Japan, but I’ll ask if you’ll say yes.”
“Are you still … powerful?”
Masaki blew a fireball from his mouth and let it float away. “Yes. My powers have nothing to do with my service to Inari.”
“Then who cares what others say? We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
“You sure you’ll stay that long?” Masaki asked, suddenly nervous Hiro might be making promises too quickly. “Becoming my mate will extend your life. You’ll live hundreds, perhaps thousands of years.”
The young man’s eyes widened for a moment, and he looked away and bit his lip. “If you’ll have me.” Hiro met his gaze and moved closer, wrapping his arms around Masaki’s neck.
Before their lips came together, Daisuke burst through the door. “You could’ve called me! I’d have still been sitting do
wnstairs worrying if Inari hadn’t told me you were back.”
Masaki sighed and went to his brother, hugging him and laughing. “Sorry.”
“That’s all you can say?” Daisuke scowled at him and pulled away to look at Hiro. “And are you okay? I’ll bet he didn’t ask before he started to ravish you.”
Hiro laughed. “Uh, I’m fine. Really. And I was the one starting the, uh, ravishing.”
“Hmph,” Daisuke said before going still.
Masaki knew what had his attention. “It was in Hiro’s pocket.”
“So, it’s not a matter of searching? Inari gave it to you.” Daisuke looked thoughtful.
“I believe so. I’ve found a mate. I’m not questioning it.”
Hiro looked at the candle, touching it with one finger. “So, you can each be free one day?”
“Yeah,” Daisuke said, coming over to pick the candle up. “Weird.”
“Why?” Masaki asked.
Daisuke smiled. “Like any of us want to be free.”
“Speak for yourself. You know how some of your siblings feel.”
Daisuke put the candle down. “And that’s their problem.” He nodded at Hiro. “I’ll see you soon. We’ll throw you a welcome to the family party.” He nudged Masaki as he passed and then waved. “Later.”
“Bye,” Hiro said, watching him go. He turned his gaze to Masaki, fingering the bedspread beneath him. “Is it really okay, what I did?”
“What?” Masaki asked, sitting on the bed.
“Fucking you,” Hiro whispered. “You know, topping or whatever.”
Masaki answered by pushing Hiro onto his back and kissing him. The younger man kept trying to free himself, but Masaki wouldn’t let him. Eventually, he relented and let Hiro speak. “That a yes?”
Masaki nodded. “Yes. It wasn’t ideal, of course, but I liked it.” He stretched out beside Hiro. “But what I loved the most was how you broke free from the spell. You knew the difference between lust and love.”
“Does this mean … I love you?” Hiro’s breathing was shallow, his eyes dark with need.
