Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

men escorted you to Hyogo Port."
    Jonathon sat up and shifted around until he was straddling Kazuhiro's lap. "How can I get on a ship and travel thousands of miles away knowing I'm leaving you behind to face everything alone? That upsets me more than the thought of any danger here. And haven't I already proven I can take care of myself?"
    "To some regard."
    Jonathon blinked, startled by his response. "What do you mean?"
    A half smirk curved one corner of Kazuhiro's lips. "You fight terribly with a Japanese sword."
    A laugh broke from Jonathon, easing some of the tension. "But if I stay, you can teach me to use one better." He brought his lips closer to Kazuhiro's, whispering, "Do you really want me to go?"
    "No."
    "Then will you let me stay with you?"
    Another sigh left Kazuhiro. "Yes. Even if I don't know if it's the right thing to do."
    "It will be. There's just one thing that concerns me."
    "What?"
    "Barrett. When he finds out you're still alive and I'm with you, he could send someone else to kill you."
    "Then we'll have to eliminate that threat."
    "I agree, and I have a plan, but it'll still require a trip to Hyogo Port. One thing about Barrett, he's underestimated me, looking at me only for what he saw on the surface and judging me based on my personal preferences."
    Kazuhiro ran his fingers through Jonathon's hair, enjoying the soft slide of it between his fingers. "Your beauty makes it seem as though you're soft, delicate, but you're like a sword in a gilded scabbard. The real strength is inside."
    Jonathon gently cupped Kazuhiro's face in both hands. "Then if that's what you believe, don't think of sending me away. Let me stand and fight at your side, to share in your beliefs and what you care for."
    Kazuhiro's voice hushed. "You should know, you may be on the losing side."
    Jonathon cocked his head in confusion. "Why do you say that?"
    "Even if the Emperor is placed back in full power, he'll also eventually bend to the outsiders' will - despite his promises - and sell our country to them. There are many among us, besides the Shogun, who see the profit to be gained from allowing others in." He drew his fingers down Jonathon's cheek, neck, to the center of his chest. "I'm not so extreme in my beliefs that I feel we shouldn't associate at all with the outside world. There's a lot we can learn from each other. I do see the value in that. I only want to ensure we as a country, as a people, don't lose ourselves."
    "But if you believe if the Emperor is placed back in power, that he'll do the same as the Shogun, why would you still fight?"
    "Because I'm not fighting for him. The Emperor has yet to prove himself, but the Shogun has already shown what kind of man he is, and it's one who's not worthy of his position. I'll fight for what I believe in, and that's to remind others to not forget who we are. I would rather fight knowing I'll lose, than stand back and do nothing. Apathy is one of the worst traits a man can have."
    Jonathon nodded. Simply listening to Kazuhiro's words invigorated him. He'd never been around anyone who stood so strongly, so bravely, for what they believed in. "Hearing you explain it makes me want to stay by you even more." He paused, one thing still nagging at his mind. "But, if my presence could complicate things between you and Ito Hidetoshi…"
    One of Kazuhiro's slender eyebrows lifted in a look of amusement. "Jealousy is also not a becoming trait."
    "I'm hardly jealous."
    Kazuhiro continued to stare at him, clearly not believing him.
    Jonathon huffed. "Maybe there's a trace of jealousy, but I mainly want to know where I stand."
    "Exactly where you are now." Kazuhiro wrapped his arms around Jonathon's lower back and pulled him forward so his hard cock was tucked behind Jonathon's ass, resting between the cheeks. "My actions tonight were less aiding a former lover than they were seeking justice for the wrongful killing of an old family friend."
    Jonathon looped his arms loosely around Kazuhiro's neck. "I understand. I didn't mean to seem jealous, but after what Kita told me of the situation and how things were between us earlier, I couldn't help but wonder."
    "Kita-san talks too much. I've told him that more than once, and it looks like I'll need to tell him again."
    "Don't be upset at him. I'm grateful he told me what he did. If he hadn't, I may have just stayed here waiting for you, and then who knows what could've happened. And it did take some convincing on my part to get him to take me