In The Darkness. Damantha Makarova

onto Akuma’s back.

      The stallion stood still, looking around with wonder, and by the time Itsuki and Ayame got onto their horses, Kara was ready to take Akuma for his first ride outside the castle walls.

      «Are you sure about this?» Itsuki asked her, while they led their horses to the gates.

      «I’m confident in him, Master Itsuki.» Kara replied. «Have faith in us.»

      When the guards opened the gates and they walked out, Akuma tensed up for a split second, but allowed Kara to calm him with a short stroke of her palm across his neck.

      They took it easy, and Akuma showed himself a trustworthy and attentive horse, surprising both Ayame and Itsuki. He listened to Kara so well that they couldn’t believe their eyes!

      As soon as they returned to the castle, Lord Ryuu met them in the courtyard.

      «I see, you have tamed Akuma, Nakano.» He said with a smirk.

      Kara jumped off the stallion and bowed to Lord Ryuu.

      «Thank you for the opportunity, Lord Ryuu.» She replied.

      «I hope he will be a worthy partner for you.»

      Kara smiled, caressing the stallion on the neck.

      «He already is.» She said.

      Lord Ryuu nodded and walked off, leaving Kara and the others by the stables.

      «He’s impressed!» Ayame nudged Kara on the shoulder and Akuma flinched – he still didn’t trust anyone near, except Kara.

      «You think so?» Kara replied, calming the stallion down by caressing his nose.

      «We know so, Nakano.» Itsuki chuckled. «And he is not easily impressed.»

      Kara took Akuma back to his paddock, still doubting that the two Spy Masters really meant what they said. It was strange for her – being in employ of a shogun, becoming part of his warriors. But everything seemed so natural, so easy. Though she put a lot of effort into training and working with Akuma – she already knew a lot before she came to this world. And it must have played its part, otherwise things could have been different.

      Leaving Akuma to rest, she took the saddle and bridle to the stable masters and joined Ayame and Itsuki, as they too left their horses to be watered and fed.

      «Are you up for some sparring?» Ayame asked Kara, as they walked off towards the castle.

      «Do you want to knock me down again?» Kara chuckled in reply, remembering how Ayame knocked her prone last time they sparred.

      Even though Kara was a skilful fighter, Ayame was training ever since she was a child, and could teach a lot about shinobi fighting. Of course, Kara was still looked at as a very skilful warrior, but sometimes she felt much less so, when it came to some of the techniques the shinobi were taught.

      Kara would even scold herself every time she felt that her chaotic, mixed fighting technique made her fall prey to the mastery of Itsuki or Ayame.

      «We’ll see, Nakano. See you in the training hall in an hour?» Ayame smiled.

      Kara nodded, agreeing to yet another lesson. She wasn’t even thinking about refusing – she only wanted to show them that she was capable of becoming what they expected from her.

      As Ayame walked off, Itsuki nudged Kara in the side.

      «I see you’re overthinking again.» He said. «What is it about?»

      «I keep thinking if I even deserve to be here, Master Itsuki.» Kara shrugged her shoulders.

      Itsuki caught her arm and stopped her, turning to face him quite rudely.

      «Stop!» he said firmly. «You are here for a reason! You are stronger, than you think – and you’ve already proved that multiple times! So stop thinking you don’t deserve to be here! If that was the case, Lord Ryuu would have never even bothered taking you with him!»

      Kara felt shaken and even a bit scared, seeing such anger in Itsuki’s eyes. He must have realised it, because he suddenly looked away and gently released her arm, stepping back. Without a single word he walked off, leaving her alone. She decided not to pursue him – he definitely needed some time by himself.

      An hour later she came to the training hall and found Ayame waiting for her. Throwing Kara a couple of bokken, the woman smiled and readied her own training weapons.

      Used to seeing Itsuki whenever she was training, Kara realised that without him it felt strange. But she forced herself to concentrate on her opponent and they started their deadly dance. Other people watched them from afar, noting the skills both women showed in wielding the weapons they had.

      Kara and Ayame kept sparring again and again – they fought swiftly and with unimaginable speed, forcing each other to retreat and attack, but never having enough to win the fight.

      After some time Ayame stepped back and bowed to her opponent.

      «I think it’s enough for today, Nakano. It was a great fight.» She said, breathing heavily.

      Kara bowed in return – her feelings were mutual. This time she didn’t let Ayame win a single time, and it definitely looked like a victory to her.

      «See you tomorrow?» she asked.

      «Get some rest.» Ayame nodded.

      Kara walked off back to her room, feeling tired and happy that she managed to stay on her feet throughout the whole workout Ayame gave her. She took the long way back to her quarters – first visiting the nearest bath to wash off the filth and sweat from the hard day. And as she was returning to her room, dressed in a fresh haorihakama, she suddenly received a visit from someone she didn’t expect.

      «Nakano!» Kara heard Itsuki and turned to him, surprised to see him at all after what had happened between them earlier.

      «Yes, Master Itsuki?» she tried sounding calm, but deep inside she felt ashamed for doubting herself in the first place.

      He walked up and offered her a small lacquered box.

      «Please accept my sincerest apologies.» He said, looking at her with such sadness and guilt in his eyes, that she suddenly felt confused.

      «What?» she asked, trying to guess what exactly he was apologising for.

      He bowed, still holding the box.

      «I was disrespectful and rude. I am sorry.» He said.

      Kara took the box, opening it. Inside she found a small batch of Japanese treats mochi. She loved these even when she was living back in her home world.

      «Itsuki…» she whispered, surprised that he would offer her this adorable gift as an apology. «It’s alright.»

      Kara reached out and cupped his face with her palm. She wanted to feel him and his warmth – it was already unbearable that he was there all the time – so close and so unreachable…

      But he surprised her again. He pulled her close and kissed her lips, making her feel a wave of shivers run down her spine.

      It was a long and passionate kiss – one that people could call longed for. As if he wanted to do this for a very long time. Kara felt him pressing her against his chest, and let herself melt in the moment, yearning for more.

      Finally, he grunted and picked her up, carrying into her bedroom and shutting the door behind them. Within moments they were down on the floor, embraced in an unimaginable desire. Itsuki could barely keep his calm, eager to touch Kara and feel her in his arms.

      But he took his time undressing her and caressing her skin. And she allowed him to do whatever he pleased, receiving every touch and kiss with a trembling wave of lust that grew deeper and deeper in her soul.

      He made her gasp for air and want more, until he let himself go and they united as one in a pulsing and overwhelming burst of desire.

      It