Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

may be.
    He met Kazuhiro's gaze. "I have no other agendas. I know there's nothing I can say to make you believe otherwise. All I can offer is my word that your life will never be in danger from me."
    "And what of your freedom? If I live, Barrett won't return you to your country, so what will you do?"
    "I don't need him to return to America. Yes, the arrangement was for his freeing me I would do this task, then he'd bring me back to live my life, but if I could make it to Hyogo Port where other American trade ships may be, I don't think a captain would turn down one of his own countrymen in need. I certainly couldn't return to San Francisco, but there was little left for me there. But, if I could have anything, I would rather…" Jonathon paused. How could he say this to him after all he'd told him? The trust between them was so delicate at this moment. To make any request of Kazuhiro could be more than the fragile trust could bear.
    "Speak what you want," Kazuhiro prompted.
    Jonathon took a breath, letting the words rush out on his exhale. "I would rather stay here with you."
    The heavy silence returned. After several moments, Kazuhiro looked back to the letter he'd been reading when Jonathon came in. He folded it and tucked it in his kimono, then stood and turned to walk into his bedchamber. "I have to dress. I'll be leaving soon."
    Jonathon shoved to his feet and moved to follow him. "Where are you going?"
    Kazuhiro shot him a sharp glance over his shoulder that warned to not question him.
    Despite the look, Jonathon pressed on. "Will you be returning tonight?"
    "Forces greater than I will determine that."
    Jonathon's chest tightened at the ominous words. He reached toward him, resting his hand on Kazuhiro's arm, a small measure of relief washing through him that Kazuhiro didn't pull away. "Let me go with you."
    "I have my men chosen for this mission."
    All relief vanished. The truth behind Kazuhiro's words being he was going with men he knew he could trust. He felt selfish for even thinking it, but he had one more thing to ask. "What of my request? To stay with you?"
    Kazuhiro stood silent for a long moment. Without looking at him, he said, "You had time to make your decision. I need time to make mine."
    Jonathon slowly drew his hand back from him. He nodded, doing his best to understand, trying to think of any words, anyway, that could sway Kazuhiro to give him his trust, but to do so wouldn't be fair. Kazuhiro more than had right to make his decision without him trying to add bias.
    But there was one thing he had to do.
    Jonathon stepped around Kazuhiro. As he looked into Kazuhiro's eyes, he saw for as stern as Kazuhiro was attempting to be, there was hurt in his gaze. Jonathon lifted both hands, hoping Kazuhiro wouldn't back away from his touch. Kazuhiro didn't. He laid his hands gently on the sides of Kazuhiro's face and leaned toward him, touching their lips together in a tender, chaste kiss.
    He ended the kiss, but kept his lips near Kazuhiro's. His voice came hushed, desperate. "Wherever you're going, please, please be careful."
    He caressed both of Kazuhiro's cheeks as he stepped back. His gaze lowered, he walked from the room.
    Kazuhiro stood motionless. He listened to the door slide open and shut again. He closed his eyes tight, fighting for control over new and unexpected emotions.
    ****
    Jonathon moved through the dark and quiet courtyard. He looked up to a sky so black, each star burned with white luminescence. The nearly full moon was high, casting a silver glow from the heavens to earth. It was well past midnight, and Kazuhiro still hadn't returned.
    From the words Kazuhiro spoke, it sounded as though he was going into danger, but when he saw him leave, Kazuhiro didn't look like a man about to go into battle. Fresh from the bath, his hair perfectly set in the topknot, wearing fine clothing bearing his house seal of the two cranes, he looked like the noble lord he was. More so, he looked like a nobleman prepared for a night of pleasure in the city. Kazuhiro also wore his swords, but like all samurai, he always did.
    Jonathon leaned back on a tree. He knew when he accepted Barrett's offer that he was making the wrong choice. If he were truly a courageous man, he would've accepted his fate and the hangman's noose instead. Cowardice and selfishness brought him here. He'd tried to right those wrong intentions with honesty, but the truth came too late. He didn't know what fate Kazuhiro would decide for