Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

chest. As his sword met flesh and bone, he waited for the blow to his back.
    A grunt of pain sounded behind him. He snapped his head around. Shock stole his breath. Jonathon faced off against the second samurai, whose chest was soaked with blood from a deep gash. Jonathon clenched the long sword in both hands, but his grip was wrong and weak, his stance unstable. He must've caught the samurai by surprise, but it wouldn't be enough to save Jonathon now that the samurai was on guard. Kazuhiro saw the other was ready to attack again.
    He yanked his sword from his enemy and whirled around just as Jonathon's opponent made his move. Catching Jonathon around the waist with one arm, he spun him away, putting himself between Jonathon and the samurai's sword. He blocked the strike, and as he did, two of his men appeared, driving his opponent back and finishing him.
    Kazuhiro quickly surveyed the area. His men were all standing, save for Akai-san. He didn't need to look closer to know Akai was gone. He closed his eyes, giving a moment of mourning and silently promising to hold a funeral fitting of Akai's bravery. He saw injuries on two of his other men, but they weren't life threatening. He also saw Kita standing beside Nakano-san, the older samurai shaking his head at the younger.
    Kazuhiro turned, looking at Jonathon, who was also taking in the death. Jonathon glanced up, and he gazed into the blue eyes. What was he doing here? It was obvious Kita had brought him. He noticed the hat, now behind Jonathon's head, as it must've blown back from running. Jonathon was sweaty, dirty, as though he'd run the entire way, and he was wearing…
    Kazuhiro looked down Jonathon's body at the kimono, the swords, the hakama, the sandals. Jonathon had clearly come to find him, to help him. And Jonathon had saved him.
    Kazuhiro stepped close to him, touching Jonathon's hand with a brush of his fingers. "Are you hurt?"
    Jonathon shook his head, his gaze going to Kazuhiro left arm and the slashed, blood-soaked sleeve of his kimono. "But you are."
    "I'd be hurt worse if you hadn't come." A grin tipped up one corner of his lips. "Even if I have a feeling you manipulated Kita to bring you."
    As if knowing his lord had spoken his name, Kita rushed up to Kazuhiro's side. He dropped to the ground, fully prostrating himself before Kazuhiro. "My lord, please forgive me for disobeying your orders."
    "Stand up, Kita-san. Blood's covering the ground, and seeing you covered in it is far more offensive to me than your actions."
    Kita scrambled to his feet, whispering Kazuhiro's name before falling speechless.
    Kazuhiro smiled at him. "You did well. But now I'm going to give you another order and see that you obey exactly. Escort Jonathon-san home safely."
    Kita bowed deeply to him again. "Yes, Takezaki-sama."
    Jonathon laid his hand on Kazuhiro's uninjured arm. "Can't I stay?"
    Kazuhiro shook his head. "Authorities will be here soon to question about what happened. You need to leave quickly or your presence will complicate things." He reached over Jonathon's shoulder and pulled the hat up, pushing it down on Jonathon's head. "Go with Kita-san. I'll return to you soon."
    Jonathon couldn't contain his smile, brought by the joy of Kazuhiro's words, I'll return to you soon . He wanted to throw his arms around him, to feel Kazuhiro's warm, solid body and know he was truly all right. But he knew such a display of open emotion and affection would be considered unseemly by those watching, and he didn't want to embarrass Kazuhiro.
    Jonathon nodded and stepped around him, passing close enough to at least brush against him. As he approached the other men, they all bowed to him. He was stunned by their display of respect and returned their bows. He neared Nakano. The samurai looked into his eyes, then bent forward in a stiff bow. Jonathon's shock froze him for a moment. He came out of it and bowed to the older samurai. As he straightened, he gave Nakano a smile, but the older samurai's expression remained stoic, though not as hard as before.
    As Jonathon followed Kita, he glanced back and saw Kazuhiro watching him with a smile.
    ****
    Sitting on the veranda in the garden, feeling the night weakening with dawn drawing closer, Jonathon continued to wait for Kazuhiro. When he and Kita had arrived back at the mansion, he washed and soaked in the tub, hoping Kazuhiro would arrive while he was in it. But he didn't. He wondered what was taking so long. Worry began to invade his