Shinji breathed in. The scent of early autumn’s air filled his lungs. The leaves were colored in red and orange, but it wasn’t a sign of the beginning of winter. It was merely the end of summer and with that his time would be over soon, too. He knew, if he didn’t find his nenja before snow started to fall, he’d never do.
But what was the use in having a master who was disloyal, a master who only thought of money, a master without virtue, a master without shame? Until now Shinji had not even found one who was impressive. Some were good at archery, some were good at swordplay and some seemed of have the only benefit of being able to eat a lot (They disgusted Shinji the most.).
But he wanted to learn everything and fact was as well: He was already quite good at everything. He managed everything well. He could handle any weapon with ease, he was faster than strong and smart too. Despite of that people often laughed at him. They said, he should be a Samurai and not a Ninja; he shouldn’t run and attack out of an ambuscade. They said, he was a coward, but in the end he was just cleverer. Of course they considered him as conceited and arrogant.
This guy though, right behind him, he wouldn’t be any different. Shinji was sure. He had met enough already. He also knew why they wanted him. It was a common practice for the nenja to take his wakashu as his lover and that was why Shinji had made a promise to himself: He would save his first kiss until he would find the nenja he would follow and obey. Many fighters had challenged him already, but no one had succeeded. Some were simply too dumb and couldn’t even catch Shinji to challange him while some made him want to throw up when their foul-smelling breath hit his face. There had never been a wakashu before who was as picky as him, but he didn’t regret it one bit.
The pennon on his straw hat fluttered in the soft breeze as he scanned his surroundings.
This place was, located at a mountain’s foot, perfect for an undisturbed fight. Surrounded by slopes of stone on one side and on the other by a lake there was hardly a chance to escape.
Shinji smirked. He didn’t think of running away anyway.

They think strength is more important than rapidness, but if necessary I’ll beat every fully-qualified Samurai on my way. If they can’t take me on, they should shut their despicable mouths.

Once more he engraved every detail of his surrounding in his mind. He felt the ground beneath him, pebbly but covered with leaves.

Fallen leaves… Maybe my last chance, but still no need to be indulgent.

His sword’s knob felt tighter as he took a loose hold of it.

I should get this over with as fast as I can.

Meanwhile he could clearly hear his antagonist approaching him from behind.

He’s tall… long legs.

“You finally came.”, Shinji stated without turning around, but he cocked his ears to maintain his connection to the other’s movements.

He isn’t nervous.

“You shouldn’t talk like this in front of your nenja, Shinji.”, the man answered. His voice was pure, but certain.

Calls himself ‘my’ nenja but hasn’t even looked into my eyes yet. Prick.

“You’re right. I apologize.”, Shinji turned around and eventually looked at his counterpart’s face.

Handsome. Hopefully not all his virtue was wasted in his looks.

“You have a sharp tongue, Shinji.”, the warrior replied, but smiled genuinely.

“I do.”, Shinji said, smiling as well, but the other could see the slight haughtiness in his eyes.

“You appeal to me.”, he stated and smirked. Shinji was taken aback by his bluntness but quickly cleared his mind again.

“Should we start then? I would like to know your name first.”, he said.

“Toshio, dragon of red fire”, the man replied, still smiling.

He’s definitely confident. He’s the first one. Usually after they see my face, they get excited.

“May I say it?”, he asked as they had positioned themselves in front of each other.

What kind of silly game is he playing? If someone is allowed to open this fight, it’s him. There’s nothing to ask.

“Please do.”, Shinji replied sweetly and the elder nodded. They bowed.

“Hajimei!”

With that it started. Toshio took the first step forward, pulling out his sword in the process. Shinji knew he would, or to be accurate: He had planned to always let the other take the first step. Like this he would simply move away a bit and observe the other’s movements before he attacked. Soon the sword cut the air and Shinji had to be quick and concentrate to the whole extend.
His enemy was surprisingly fast and it was exhausting to the younger.

I can’t continue like this for long. He won’t get tired, but I will.

Eventually he grabbed his weapon as well and began fighting back. Of course it was an unequal battle. At last it was an accomplished Samurai with lots of experience against a young man who didn’t even wear a real armor yet.
His rapidness has always been Shinji’s advantage but this time it didn’t seem to work. Sooner or later their swords crossed between them and both pushed. Like this, only strength was necessary and of course Toshio had much more of that.

He’s leading the fight.

Shinji had succumbed lots of times but he felt that his challenger today had skill and it made him want to see more. He couldn’t just loose like that.
Toshio looked obviously surprised as his counterpart mustered up all his strength and pushed harder.

“Kiss me!”, the elder said as they both bent forward, their arms shaking from expenditure of energy. Shinji’s eyes widened and a clangor could be heard as he stumbled backwards and their weapons declamped. Toshio had found a weak point. He didn’t expect this.

“Never”, the younger said, his eyes flashing with sudden anger. He let his sword cut the air noisily as he attacked once more. He took the other by surprise and was able to make him step backwards into the flat lake. The water splashed as they fenced. As the fight progressed both showed off all their skills and abilities. They didn’t only fence using their blades but fought with their whole bodies.
Toshio’s steps were always steady and his punches selective, but Shinji had a chance. He jumped from side to side, ducked down and continuously used his martial art skills to avoid the other’s attacks.

“What is it, sweetheart? Don’t want to harm my admirable body?”, the elder asked teasingly as he expertly swung his sword from side to side. No matter how irately Shinji was, he had to step back to get away from his weapon. Fortunately he didn’t get into the deeper regions of the lake. The water merely reached his knees.
Still concentrating on the quickly and fiercely swinging sword he hardly realized what happened next. Toshio’s foot moved under the water surface area and without further ado he kicked, and pulled Shinji’s legs away.
They younger fell down, onto his back, the water immediately blurring his senses.
It was the worst to him. He couldn’t see, he couldn’t hear, he couldn’t breathe. In panic he decided to turn around somehow and just crawl as fast as he could.
Half crawling, half running he reached the shore. He breathed heavily as he saw Toshio approach, his sword casually placed over his shoulder.

“Ready for a kiss now?”, he asked smirking as he watched Shinji who hastily picked himself up. The younger was exhausted. His legs were shaking, while the elder looked like he had just taken a nice ride through the nearby village. He panted as he tightened his grip around the knob of his weapon. The water dropped from his hair and maid his garment incredibly heavy.
He knew it was his last chance before he would break down.
All at once Toshio tossed his sword to the ground.

“What are you doing???”, Shinji asked in astonishment. The elder walked towards him, unarmed. A slight smile graced his lip as he came closer. The younger gained his composure back and attacked him again, but Toshio dodged all of his tries easily. Suddenly his foot dashed forward and hit Shinji’s ankle, making him fall to the ground once more.

How can’t I handle this attack?

This time the elder didn’t give him time to react and sat down on him.
Shinji still held the sword in one hand and it was between the upper parts of their bodies.

“Don’t you dare!”, he threatened but Toshio smiled as he lowered himself slowly.

“Stop!”, Shinji shouted as the elder’s throat and the blade touched, but the other didn’t listen and pushed down more, until blood dripped down onto Shinji’s chest. The younger watched with wide eyes at Toshio’s actions.

I will kill him.

And at last he let go of his weapon and threw it to the side, and like that he knew that he had lost. The sword lay forgotten on the ground as their lips touched.
There was no way for Shinji to move.
Toshio moved his lips on the younger’s he. He , nibbled and let tongue swipe over them.

You won. Not only the fight but you won me as well.

Shinji obediently opened his mouth and lay still as the other shoved his tongue in, not hesitating and exploring his delicious oral cavity. He wanted to lie like this and let the other enjoy his award, but couldn’t suppress a moan as the elder’s hands began touching his torso.
Kissing was like being under the water for him. He didn’t see or hear, he merely felt. The only thing he could do was trust his nenja, because the latter was entirely in charge.

“Will you be my wakashu?”, he asked between the kisses.

“Y-yes~”, Shinji panted hard as he grabbed the elder’s hair and pulled him back down, deepening the kiss and now taking action himself. Their tongues rubbed on each other and danced between them. Daringly Shinji pushed, but Toshio immediately took dominance in the shared kiss. He on the younger’s tongue expertly and made him go crazy beneath him. Shinji let his fingers wander through the other’s shorter hair and closed his eyes shut. More and more groans escaped his lips as Toshio kept pleasuring him to the perfection.
How was he so good? He was fast, he was sagacious, he was impressive and furthermore he was attractive to the younger.

The wakashu shouldn’t feel ual attraction towards his nenja.

The thought crossed his mind but he quickly pushed it away.

I just want to learn from him, nothing more.

In spite of everything he followed and kept kissing the elder as the latter slowly pulled away and sat up.

“Don’t stop! Please, master.”, Shinji breathed as he knelt down in front of his nenja. Toshio frowned and looked down at him. Then something in his eyes changed. There was something lovingly in them as he pushed his lips onto Shinji’s again, gently this time.

Finally Shinji had found his nenja.

They kissed until the sun went down and the foliage color changed from red to dark blue. As the moon rose they eventually set off for the next village and for Shinji’s new life next to his nenja.

omg it's done! I really need to work hard and make the next one better and longer! *exhausted*  Thanks for your support <3