Book 4: Chapter 56: Captured

Lily leaned her numb body against the cabin wall, conflicting thoughts gradually echoing within her blank mind.

Having the soul of a boy, she naturally didn’t dislike the feeling of intimacy with a woman as beautiful as Shimizu. However, this was only at an instinctual level; not a true reflection of Lily’s purest desires and will.

The body her soul occupied also had its protests— the unconscious resistance from being forcefully kissed by another girl and having her most sensitive areas explored.

So was the nature of women, especially girls like Lily who tread the path of samurai and tempered their strength. They not only had to protect the world, but also themselves; not only take risks to obtain treasures, but also take precautions to ensure they themselves don’t become the treasure being taken by others.

Lily was self-aware about her body, to be precise, her Senior Sister’s body. Having experienced the charm, warmth, and intoxicating smell of her Senior Sister firsthand, Lily knew that in the Heian Dynasty, she might be the most beautiful jewel in terms of beauty.

How could such a treasure be casually taken and toyed with by others?

But wasn’t she currently being played with by a girl named Shimizu?

It was common practice for pract.i.tioners to seize treasures, but wouldn’t they themselves be captured if they were just as appealing?

Contradicting thoughts rattled Lily’s mind.

The process of seizing treasures was arduous and fraught with dangers, but after success, it was a joyful and thrilling feeling1.

As for being the one taken away…

Lily didn’t have an opinion on that, nor did she want to think about it.

Perhaps other women didn’t face such contradictions, especially ordinary women. But among women who enjoyed affection from the same gender, there were ‘hunters’ and those that relished being ‘hunted’.

Lily, a girl with the soul of a boy, fell into her own special category which betrayed the natural order of the world, representing a seemingly simple but philosophical issue.

Now that she had grown accustomed to her female body, such contradictions were clearer to her.

But the current problem revolves around Sister Shimizu. How can I reject her without hurting her feelings? If things continue on like this…

The sweet kiss, however nice, eventually ended. The bridge of transparent saliva connecting their tongues soon broke, leaving Lily to support her weak body against the damp wall. Her slightly messy hair spilled across her heaving, delicate shoulders as she tried to control her ragged breath.

Shimizu, who was still lost in her desires, buried her face between Lily’s ample bosom and got drunk on her fragrance. Subconsciously, her hand snakily traced Lily’s kimono, tugging and ready to pull it open.

Lily furrowed her brows and issued a m.u.f.fled snort.

“No, no!”

At this critical juncture, Lily recalled the last moments with her Senior Sister at the end of twilight— the rea.s.suring care and warmth in her eyes.

With renewed strength, she recklessly shoved Shimizu aside and stumbled to her feet. She then ran to the sliding door, opened it, and escaped.

A single person was left in the cabin. Her long hair was scattered and her eyes were misty, still lingering on the open door.

Shimizu wasn’t angry with Lily. On the contrary, she was quite happy with her current gains. Today, she succeeded in breaking a line of defense. Though she had many layers to go, she didn’t mind and rather liked the idea of making Lily surrender one step at a time.

She smiled, “Escape? Can you really escape from me? Lil’ Sis, you’re stronger than me, but you still won’t be able to escape. Not because I’ll incessantly force you, but because you like when I do this to you, right? Why not admit it honestly? Is it because you know it’ll please my interest, sister?”

Lily fled to the deck. The surrounding lake was covered by drifting clouds and fog, barely allowing the faint silhouettes of distant mountains to be visible.

There were also a few samurai and merchants lounging about the deck. They cast her strange looks upon seeing her disheveled figure.

Lily blushed in embarra.s.sment, Is there nowhere quiet on this boat?

“Get lost!2”

“What?” The worriers and merchants were taken aback.

“I said all of you get lost!” Lily angrily repeated. She waved her long sleeves, triggering a gust of wind that blasted the surrounding people to the ground and almost caused one of them to fall into the lake.

Most of these people had long heard that there were two strong female warriors on the boat. They had beat up Fujiwara’s young master and powerful bodyguards before throwing them into the lake. Recalling this story, several people quickly fled into their respective cabins.

Lily lay on the railings of the ship, allowing the wind to caress her body and cool her heated emotions.

“Senior sister…it’s so hard…” “It’s so hard for me to endure…”

At this moment, a young girl stared at Lily’s pet.i.te back from a side building of the ship. She wore a short kimono and her braided twin-tail sported a pair of copper bells. Because of Lily’s bent position, her wide hips and plump b.u.t.tocks were accentuated by the kimono and presented the young girl with a favorable view.

“Kagami Lily, kimonos suit you really well,” Ui said to herself, “Although big brother doesn’t allow me to take action, it would be a shame to miss such a good opportunity to play with her.”

Just as she was about to approach Lily from behind, Shimizu came out of the cabin.

“Cheh!” Ui grunted unhappily and retreated to the shadowy area of the side building.

Lily’s sadness evoked pain in Shimizu’s own heart.

She went over and hugged Lily from behind, pressing her soft abdomen against Lily’s protruding b.u.t.t.

“Alright, I won’t tease you anymore so don’t cry, dear sister. Big sister is sorry for what she did, okay? Come, let’s go back inside before it starts raining.”

Lily didn’t cry because she was taken advantage of, but because of her confusion and brittle resistance. She blamed herself for her weakness and grieved for her Senior Sister.

It was otherwise inevitable to face difficulties in this foreign world, but the betrayal of one’s own heart and body was still unforgivable.

No, for the sake of this tragic love, I can’t cry. I still don’t have any clues about Senior Sister’s situation. The only lead I have is this Fujiwara no Ayaka. Sister Uesugi said she was headed for Mt. Ooe, but I also have no clues about her. I shouldn’t mull over these disappointing thoughts too much. Even if I’m ashamed, I can’t allow it to continue disturbing my mind.Sister Shimizu doesn’t owe me anything. She saved me despite the danger and accompanied me in my seemingly suicidal journey to the West. Even if I’m reluctant, a few kisses and touches aren’t anything compared to what Sister Shimizu has done for me. Why should I lose my temper and upset my sister over this?

Maybe because of the cool wind, Lily felt a little relieved. She turned around with an aggrieved nod and allowed Shimizu to pull her away. During their short walk, Shimizu took the chance to hug Lily’s waist. Although Lily didn’t know what she wanted to do, she didn’t push her away anymore.

Ui hid by the side and looked at the duo, “What is the relationship between these two women? Aren’t Kanto samurai said to be more conservative? Is the Kanto Region’s style becoming similar to the n.o.ble ladies’ circle of Heian-kyo?”

1. Robinxen: This just in; Women=Shinies in Lily’s mind.
2. Robinxen: Oh no she’s becoming a tyrant.