Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

Kazuhiro found him attractive, and with those selfish prayers he confessed it had nothing to do with his cursed mission.
    Kazuhiro lifted his gaze to meet Jonathon's. "Thank you for saving Kita-san."
    Jonathon shook his head. "Thanks isn't necessary, Lord Takezaki. He and all your men saved me many times over when we were attacked. If anything, I owe thanks to you. You also saved my life."
    A small, but warm smile rose to Kazuhiro's lips. He looked forward. "Please speak to me in English."
    Jonathon startled inside at the request, but did as Kazuhiro requested with his next words. "I apologize. Is my Japanese so bad?"
    Kazuhiro laughed, still speaking in Japanese himself. "Yes, it is."
    Jonathon choked out a gasp, but then started laughing with Kazuhiro, knowing the jest wasn't meant to be hurtful, and also, because the smooth, rich sound of Kazuhiro's laugh was infectious. "My sincere apologies."
    "You needn't apologize. I find it charming you trying to speak my language." Kazuhiro looked at him again.
    Kazuhiro's smile, the humor in his eyes, all sent warmth washing through Jonathon, centering in his cock. He couldn't bring himself to break their gaze, and something told him, Kazuhiro didn't want to either. "From what I've heard of your English, it's excellent."
    "I'm sure if you heard me speak more of it, you'd find it as bad as your Japanese."
    Jonathon laughed again, Kazuhiro chuckling with him. Kazuhiro was nothing like what Barrett described, which shouldn't be much of a surprise to him. He should've assumed the lord would be the exact opposite of what Barrett said he was. Kazuhiro's mannerisms were more relaxed than Nakano, who was the epitome of stoic. He'd seen Kazuhiro display that type of restraint and formality as well, but he liked this more personable - and incredibly charming - side of him.
    Kazuhiro slowly broke their gaze and looked to the road. "You seem to understand Japanese well, and since I understand English, it might be best if we both spoke in the tongues we're most comfortable with to avoid any misunderstandings. If I believe I've misunderstood you or I'm confused, I'll tell you, but you must do the same for me. Do you agree?"
    "I do and I think it's an excellent idea. Where did you learn English?"
    "From a missionary. He wanted me to give my soul to his Christian God. I told him my soul belonged to my sword, and if he continued trying to steal it, I would be sending his God a gift very soon when my sword removed his head from his body."
    Jonathon snorted in an attempt to not laugh, but he'd run into missionaries before and had also been on the receiving end of their religious fervor.
    Kazuhiro glanced at him, catching Jonathon's mirth at his comment, and smiled at him. "Despite my refusal to give my soul, the missionary was still kind enough to help me learn English, and I've studied it since." He saw the humor in Jonathon's expression faded to confusion. "You don't understand why."
    "No, I'm afraid I don't. Everything I've been told about you is that you despise Western culture."
    "I don't despise your culture. I despise your culture trying to change mine. Also, it's best to know as much about one's enemy as possible."
    Jonathon continued to gaze at him, Kazuhiro's words striking him strong. He realized why Kazuhiro had agreed to speak with him. Kazuhiro viewed Barrett as a threat, an enemy, and he was nothing more than a means to keep that enemy close. If only Kazuhiro knew just how deep Barrett's deceit went. "You have no interest in buying guns from Mr. Barrett, do you?"
    "No. My men are more than adequately armed, in both swords and firearms. Ones purchased from a far more reliable and reputable source. Not that my men want to use them, but they've been trained regardless as the Shogun's army uses them."
    "You should know, if you plan to hold me prisoner, I'm nothing to Barrett."
    "I know."
    "How do you know?"
    "Because most men refrain from sending someone they care for into a dangerous situation unless they know the other could take care of themselves or they were the only one they could trust. It could quite possibly be such with you, but don't believe so. What I believe is that Barrett cares for no one but himself. You're here because he hopes I'll be the savage he believes that I and all Japanese are, and that I'll kill you. He'll then have reason to incite the Shogun further against me, perhaps even call upon your own government to see me punished."
    Jonathon stared at Kazuhiro