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He did the same thing to her that she did to him, and her breath hitched in the middle of her throat. Her fingers gripped at his should, digging in a little, and Katsumi's panting grew heavier. She just kept feeling warmer and warmer, and the archer felt herself throbbing, arching. Katsumi had never experienced this kind of feeling before, and began to wonder if this is what she heard some of the men talk about before. When they were with a woman and that need. While she didn't fully understand it, her body seemed to know what it wanted, and Katsumi wanted to go along with the ride, lips parting and another moan escaping as he nipped at her flesh.

But he stopped, and her brows knit some in protest. Why did Haji stop? She didn't want the high to cease, and his forehead rested against hers. He questioned her and the woman paused, biting down on her bottom lip. Even now with all of these intense feelings, he was still concerned about her. There was no doubt in her mind that Haji was concerned about her injury and had caught onto her pain, and a blush coloured her cheeks.

There was absolutely no doubt that she wanted to continue. The entirety of her being seemed to yearn for him now. And yet with this pause, there was a moment of clarity and the logic that was typically so powerful within Katsumi whispered to her. Should they keep doing this now? Could they?

Her gaze dropped, and she whispered, "I know... that I want you, Haji-kun. That... I really like this. I've never been so sure of something in my life."

But there was uncertainty in her voice. Not about what she just said, but about whether they should keep going. Katsumi found she was incapable of giving a proper answer. It would pain her to say either one, and the woman would rather Haji give his opinion.

If this all really was true and not just some momentary fairytale, than perhaps this could continue on another time. Or they could keep going now. To what degree, she couldn't be certain. There was much Katsumi was unaware about, but she found that in Haji's presence she finally wasn't in fear's grip. She felt safe with him, and happy, and, even with the short time they knew one another, Katsumi wholeheartedly trusted him.

"There is always a place for new light. I promise."

After living a life of darkness, Katsumi was sure that there was no light. That all people would be set out to hurt her because she was a woman. They would see her as weak and take advantage of her. Abuse her like her father had. It petrified Katsumi, and so she had been masquerading herself as a man. And now she was finding people who accepted her as not only a woman but as a person, and it brought her happiness. There could still be hope for this man, if only he would accept her help.

He talked about him killing his father. So she had been right, and as Katsumi listened to his reasoning, she could not help but disagree. Katsumi had killed her father, but it was because he was incredibly dangerous. The man had been trying to kill her and she only took his life out of self-defense. But she did not know the circumstances and could not judge him. She felt no desire to do so anyway. All the archer wanted was for him to calm down and to not have to kill him this day.

"Sometimes fathers must fall by their children's hands," she commented. Katsumi would not admit before a crowd of strangers that she took her own father's life. Questions could be asked, and that wouldn't be good for her if somebody potentially found out who she was.

There was no time to retort, for the man charged her again and Katsumi quickly moved back. While he was fast, she was faster, both in body and her eyes. The woman could keep up with his speed, and her wit allowed her to judge his moves. Releasing her breath, Katsumi fired off a shot at his foot, to stop him before he could close the distance, and, with great haste, another arrow within her hand was at the ready. She shot at his arm, moving over to the town bridge and agilely hopping up on the ledge. She had no intention of killing the fighter, if she was able. But it seemed she would be forced to incapacitate him.

"Living a life of hate will only kill you in the end," exclaimed the woman, aiming her bow at him again. She backed up slowly on the ledge, balance keeping her atop. "It is what inevitably took the life of my father, and many men before him, and will continue to do so. Do not become one of those men. Accept my offer. I will help you find these men so you can move on."

She never before would have made any sort of offer like this, but it seemed Haji was really rubbing off on her. Who would have thought Katsumi would ever become the hero type? If she knew how, she would have chuckled at the thought, shaking her head in disbelief.

The archer simply remained silent, trying to figure out this peculiar character. She had never come across anyone like him and found the man to be odd at best. As he stepped closer, the merc kept her distance, eyes always searching for a sudden movement. Even with having met Haji and a couple of others, the teen was still rather distrustful, especially with how unstable this fellow seemed.

"Uhh...." How was Katsumi supposed to react to the man's statement about his name. She highly doubted what he said about the matter, but kept that to herself, instead quirking her brows and murmuring, still a bit curious, "okay then. I'm sure, uh... I'll be fine though."

The sensation of his hand slipping into her kimono, sliding along the flesh of her back, was practically too much, and she sighed against his neck. Katsumi panted heavily, close to euphory just from this, but when Haji's hand moved to her rear and positioned her so that she straddled his hips, the merc winced. Her stitches groaned and the woman inhaled sharply.

Fuck that hurt!

If they weren't careful, the wound could open up again. While normally Kat was incredibly cautious, she didn't care about any of that now. His touch was like a drug to her after sixteen years of neglect, and she was an addict. Despite how bad it may be for her now, Katsumi just wanted Haji and to keep going. The nibbling of the lobe of her ear and his hand feeling over her wraps and flesh was simply incredible. So she disregarded her pain, her other hand moving to slip off the sleeve of his kimono, rubbing his exposed shoulder as the other hand continued to feel the muscles of his chest.

[[You linked Himura Kenshin and have immensely pleased me. And, also this is soooo cute! <333333]]

At first her hand rested on his open kimono, but then slid over his exposed chest, fingers slipping beneath the robe and running along his flesh. It felt as though sparks ignited as she touched him, and Katsumi simply couldn't get enough. Never had she ever felt this desire to touch someone like this, or really much at all (besides in early childhood being hugged by her father, or given an appreciative pat on the back or shoulder), but now the archer was overwhelmed with that desire, to the point where it was nothing short of need.

She kept up with his passion, cheeks deeply flushed and heart racing a mile a second. Katsumi felt her whole body heating up, and she hardly knew what to do with herself, overcome with this new-found desire.

As his hand slid along the outside of her thigh, the merc sighed, whimpering softly behind the kiss. There was no fear behind the sound, the teenager only drawing nearer to him, hand rubbing the muscles of his chest. No, she loved it and wanted more, wanted what she didn't even really know. Katsumi never felt so invigorated and so passionate, and after a life of restraint and suppression, she felt alive for the first time, and it was the greatest feeling in the world.

Katsumi wanted Haji, for him to continue feeding that sensation, and broke off the kiss, the tip of her nose, lips and tongue moving along his jaw, down his neck. Her breath was heavy, lids drooped lowly, and she shuddered his name, that desperation rather clear in her tone, "Oh, Haji-kun...~"

Yes. She never wanted anything or one so much in that single moment, and the woman kissed his neck. The entirety of her being ached for Haji, and the normally quiet Kat moaned again.

There was one headshot, one bandit down, but before she could fire at the next bandit, he threw a rock at her. She didn't have the time to react and her right shoulder hit, knocking her to the ground.

"What the hell?!" she hissed, the archer's back colliding onto the ground. Her shoulder shot with pain from the impact. Nothing was broken, but there was no doubt in the woman's mind that her shoulder would be purple by the end of the night, and that it would hurt like a bitch.

A rock knocked her to the ground? Katsumi felt pathetic. She mentally noted that if she made it out alive that Katsumi would focus on strength exercises and building up her muscles. But she wasn't so sure about that, scrambling back and wincing as the bandit charged her. He was ready to finish her off with one decisive stab when suddenly a villager slit his throat.

Kat's eyes widened, but she quickly shook her head and pushed herself up, nodding in appreciation to the villager. Her hues searched the area and she saw the village elder fighting with another mercenary. That was her paycheck!

Eyes narrowing, she charged forward and readied her bow, prepared to fire at any bandits in the vicinity. It was too dangerous to shoot the other man who was pinned now, as she might hit the elder, so she skid to a stop near the wall of a hut to provide cover on her flank, searching for anymore targets who may intend to harm the leader of the village.

Katsumi from here on out would act as his support, unless the Elder said or needed otherwise.

Deep down, Katsumi's thoughts about people and life were slowly starting to stir, changing. Maybe everyone wasn't horrible and weren't simply out to manipulate and hurt people for their own beneficial gain, or simply because they were angry or cruel. Haji... he was so genuine, and she had never seen anything like it. He was such a relief to her, and she had no intention of leaving him any time soon despite only knowing him for a handful of hours now, if she could help it.

When he spoke, Katsumi nodded after, closing her eyes for a few moments before opening them again, whispering softly, shortly, "Same...~"

Despite normally hating physical contact, the archer couldn't get enough of it now, and her heart raced. When his arm around her waist pulled her closer, hand stroking Kat's cheek, and kisses turning more feverish, the softest of moans was elicited from the woman. At this point, she completely forgot about her wound (if only because she wasn't moving her leg at this point lol), and her lips mimicked his in movement. Fingers gripped and tugged some at his hair, part of her front pressing up against his more as she leaned in, wrapped chest expanding as she inhaled deeply, sharply.

The wrap annoyed her, making it a little harder to breathe in this moment, and she internally growled about it, but continued kissing Haji. Her lips parted and, following instinct, her tongue pressed against his bottom lip. Kat's teeth nibbled gently, tugging as her tongue wet that little bit of flesh.

[[Is this an appropriate time to insert a tiny bow chika wow wow? No? I guess I can wait. :P]]

She hit her mark, and there were some gasps and even a cry or two amongst the crowd. The merc wasted no time, removing three arrows and taking aim again, holding the other two within her fingers. People drew further back, nervous clatter filling the air. It would have been better if the villagers left, but people seemed to be drawn to a scene, and she internally sighed.

Her expression remained impassive, listening as he cried out angrily. After screaming about the cruelties of the world, the woman sighed. "I thought the same, until more recently."

Yes. Haji showed her kindness and she experienced so many things she never knew could exist then, and the woman was incredibly grateful. And then there were some of the others who had helped her more recently, and these acts of genuine kindness could simply not be ignored. After living in the dark for so long, she was finally shown the light, and it brought Katsumi some semblance of hope.

Her voice was calm and cool as she spoke, almost soothing, "Demons need not always be evil. They can slay other demons. Sometimes they must, so as to not further tumble into the darkness, and, in doing so, they can eventually see and experience the light."

She slowly backed up, as he moved forward, keeping her distance. The merc was prepared to fire, watching carefully with drooped lids. As she moved back, watching her steps from her peripheral vision, the crowd parted and moved away, avoiding the two.

Did he have a cruel father as well? One who abused and hated? Her eyes narrowed a little, searching him.

"Not all traits from fathers must pass on to their children. You can fight some of the demons, and some pass by their offspring."

It was true, even to her. Maybe she killed like her father and did what he taught her, but she was not hateful like him. Katsumi did not abuse others, nor drink herself into a stupor. Maybe she was a killer, but she was not her father. Katsumi was simply what he wanted her to be, or at least as close as she could be. She was an excellent warrior, but still a woman. Some things you simply couldn't change, but Haji and others were slowly helping her realize that it was alright, and that she should accept herself for who she was. It would take time for this to be fully realized, but, nevertheless, she was on the right path.

Perhaps this man could travel down the right road as well with the proper guidance...?

He drew her closer and kissed her cheek once more, and Katsumi felt warm inside, bubbles rising up within her belly. Unlike Haji, Katsumi simply sat in place, eyes closed and no thoughts besides how content she felt at this time running through her head. She was always such a busy-body and her mind was always working, so it was unusual for this to be the case, and quite relaxing.

Haji spoke, and the archer gave a small nod in response. "Mmm~"

That whisper and those words, it caused the girl to shudder, and she gulped. She had been alone pretty much her whole life, for the last year quite literally and for all of the time before that emotionally. To think, they could be together and she would have someone there who actually cared, who wanted to support her, and not break her down... it caused tears to well in her eyes once more.

"Maybe," she replied at his other whisper. Picking up his hand, she lifted it and pressed her lips against his palm, before resting it on her wrapped chest once more. "We'll... We'll have to find out, w-won't we?"

He gently kissed beneath and eyes and her nose, and the young woman blushed again. Haji claimed she didn't need to apologize, but she couldn't function properly socially. There was so much she didn't know how to do and, now that she met Haji, she wanted to be able to do those things, to have the knowledge and be able to utilize it.

"B... But..."

Oh, how she wanted to continue to keep apologizing and to be able to everything that she wanted. To be able to act on her feelings. But she was so clueless. Katsumi was far behind others socially, simply due to the fact that she had such little experience. There had not been the opportunity for her to grow in those areas. Not until now, really.

The woman blinked when he spoke, and her curiosity piqued. What was it he was going to show her? While she wanted to protest about him carrying her, Katsumi had quickly realized that there was no point. He wanted to help, insisted on it, and why should she try and stop him? Haji wanted to aid her, and so she would let him, and Katsumi was quite grateful for it.

It only hurt a little bit when Haji moved Katsumi around, and she leaned against his chest as he picked her up and stood, going over to the bank. Shortly they were there, and the man maneuvered them, and eventually she was sitting on the ground, leaning against his front as he sat behind her.

Fingers pressed against the ends of her mouth and pulled upward, and Katsumi's brows raised at the motion. He forced a smile and Katsumi stared down into the water eagerly. It was so strange to see the sight, and, truthfully, she looked quite silly. But the action was sweet nevertheless, and Katsumi thoroughly appreciated it. As odd as it was, she liked the look of this smile, and hoped one day she could do it on her own, without his physical help like this. But she did wish that it was him that would make her smile, and that he would be there during her first time.

His promise moved Katsumi, and her eyes swam again with tears. The archer felt his arms wrap around her waist and she leaned back, resting her head against his collar bone. She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes, hands resting over the back of his.

"Thank you, Haji-kun," she whispered softly. Her tone was filled with warmth. "You... are like those princes in fairytale stories. On the road in inns... sometimes I heard mothers telling their children such tales. They sound so nice. I thought they couldn't be real, but..."

Katsumi sighed happily. "Us right now... it fits... so perfectly."

[[Lololol that expression xDDD]]

The man leaned in, and it felt as though her heart were going to explode. But just as she was about to bolt, and she even began to, he fell backwards and splashed into the water. Did he slip? What happened? She couldn't be certain, but felt that it was a perfect opportunity to escape... if only she weren't practically trapped in this damned hotspring due to her height and injuries.

Shit! He figured it out. Exclaimed her gender! Katsumi was fucked. He would hurt or even kill her for being an insulate woman, daring to think she could fight. Or, like in her father's case, simply because she was a female.

He moved away, offering her knife and promising not to harm her, but there was distrust on her expression. Why was she to believe him considering her past? With all of those scars on her back, and the back of her upper arms and thighs, and with their society. She waded back so that her back pressed was pressed against the wall of the springs and tears welled in her eyes.

Katsumi wasn't ready to die. Not after working so hard to survive. The man offered peace, but she was in a compromising position. To get her blade back, she would have to draw near, and he was far larger and presumably stronger than her. He could easily overpower her and then what? Many terrible things could happen from there.

The merc remained silent, hugging her injured body, trembling and cowering like a trapped animal, and her eyes clearly conveyed, 'How can I be sure?'