The Scorpion's Strike

The Scorpion's Strike
(L5R, Vanilla)

“I will see you again soon, brother,” Said Yoritomo Souta with a bow.

The elder Mantis bushi bowed as well, then nodded to the Yui, Souta’s new wife.

“Enjoy your new wife, and your new life. She is something special.”

Bayushi Yui bowed again at the compliment, her eyes fluttering under the attention.

“Thank you,” Souta said before his brother walked out of their home. The door was shut behind them, and Souta let out a sigh of relief.

Their first time hosting guests since the wedding, and it went without a crisis. There was always the chance that a spat could erupt between family members, different clans, or even those of different stations, but Souta’s problem was even worse. He was married to a Bayushi, a scorpion, and deception was in his wife’s blood.

Yui stood and looked him in the eyes. Her expression was lost on him. Those damned masks the scorpion wore, it hid her face up to just beneath her nose.

“A little more music?” Yui asked, presenting finger picks with just one hand, “While the water is on?”

Souta kept a straight expression, and nodded.

Yui was graceful, even when doing something as mundane as crossing their parlor to the koto in the corner. Souta loved her curves, the way she filled her robes, and her hair threatened to touch the floor even when she stood.

He kneeled at the end of the table. Yui replaced her finger picks, and tested the instrument. Each prick of her fingers ringing out through the room. She cleared her throat, and began to play.

The tune sounded somber. He had never heard it before, but Souta wasn’t a man for music. He was a warrior, first and foremost. In the proud tradition of the mantis, he finished the jobs that no warrior should be capable of. Even when that meant an arranged marriage to the underhanded scorpion clan.

She sang, “The young scorpion met the mantis strong, his claws as sharp as steel. His devoted stance and quiet song, it gave her dark heart chills…”

Souta even loved her voice, and if he wanted to be truthful to himself, he loved Yui. When they first met he was nervous, but she charmed him with her confidence and wit. He was prepared to consider his marriage a boon, until he received a letter from his cousin, Hito.

It said, ‘You are strong, Souta, so I understand why they placed this burden on you. The scorpion does not carry its tail for nothing. Every limb, no matter the size or shape, is there to draw your eye away from the moment it strikes. Yui will make a wonderful wife, among other things.’

Hito was a courtier, he understood the Scorpion clan better than Souta ever could, and his warning could not be louder. A scorpion is never loyal, as the ancient proverb of the frog and the scorpion teaches.

“...She said ‘There’s no guarantee I won’t sting, my tail’s heart is its own.’ That great mantis bowed his head low to her, said, ‘I am used to the violent ones.’”

Yui let the last note ring, and Souta couldn’t help but smile. He clapped, and she bowed her head.

“The water is ready,” Yui said as she went and collected the hot water, “I hope you’re thirsty.”

Souta took a breath and relaxed. He wasn’t a political target, why would the Scorpion target him? He knew Yui, and she didn’t seem deceitful.

The cups were set, and with expertise, she poured the first cup.

“You seem stressed,” She said, her green eyes locked on his.

Souta looked at her, “It has been a long day. I’m still not used to being a host.”

Her cheeks moved up, was she smiling or frowning? “You’ll get used to it. I believe that. Your family is known to fit into great molds, aren’t they?”

Souta’s nostrils flared, but he kept his head about him, “Only when there is a need for honorable people to fill them.”

Yui’s eyes looked away from him briefly, then those green eyes returned. Was she angry, or just distracted?

She moved to fill the second cup, and something slipped from her sleeve and fell into the hot liquid. Yui gasped, and Souta’s eyes went wide.

“Curses,” She said, setting down the tea. Sticking out of the cup was one of the sticks she used to tame her hair, and the other had fallen beside it on the table.

Souta’s mind worked quickly. Why would she put that there? It seemed odd, especially for someone with as much grace as Yui. His memories turned to so many plays and stories, the foul machinations of Scorpion villains. What they could do to you with a simple cup of tea. You could die in your sleep, or become a crumbling shell of a man for the creature to control.

Yui’s fingers moved to retrieve the hair pin. Souta’s hand darted out and grabbed Yui by the wrist.

She looked at him, eyes wide.

“Don’t,” He said.

“Souta?” She whispered.

“Just, don’t.”

He took the cup, and moved it toward the center of the table. He watched Yui the whole time.

Her eyes fell to the tea, and she began to pour the second cup.

Could she have poisoned it? Was she moving to poison it? Souta didn’t know, but the question assaulted him.

“Do you think you will be happy?” Souta asked, “In this marriage, that is.”

Yui filled the cup to the top, “I do what I must. Enjoying you is a bonus that was never guaranteed.”

Souta lifted his brow as the new cup was moved closer to him. She went to grab another cup, and then began to fill that one. Souta looked at the third cup, in the center of the table, and worried.

“So our marriage is a duty?” Souta said as he took the cup into his hands.

Yui’s cup went untouched. He knew why, that mask.

“We are bushi,” She said, “Everything we do, is duty. To the emperor, to our clan, to our family.”

Souta chuckled, “Odd words to hear, considering the source.”

“The life of a scorpion is to be mocked, despite our dedication to Bayushi.”

Souta squinted at her, unsure whether to be offended, or informed.

“The ten did not gift Rokugan everything,” Souta countered, “Great works can come from mortal hands and minds.”

Yui nodded, “Still, a scorpion…”

“You are no longer a scorpion,” Souta snapped, “Don’t you understand that?”

He couldn’t live his life like this. He loved Yui, mind and soul, but the game between them made every moment tense. They had barely touched one another, and he could never be sure her eyes were looking at him with joy or murderous intent.

“Yes,” Yui said with her eyes turned away, “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

Souta drank at his tea, it was delicious.

“Still,” Yui added, “That changes nothing.”

He looked at her, and saw a ferocity in her eyes. What was she thinking?

“What does that mean?”

“You don’t trust me,” Yui said, “You don’t even trust me to greet your family, or pour your tea. Rightfully so, by reputation. Even if I was a Mantis from this point on, you would question me.”

Souta set down his cup, “What did your song mean, just now?”

Yui’s eyes softened, “It was just a song, I made it up.”

Souta moved closer, and Yui looked up him, as if afraid he had a weapon to draw.

“I think it means more than that,” Souta said, “I think it was about you.”

Yui shifted back from Souta, but he moved closer again, “About us, you mean. A scorpion and a mantis.”

He moved even closer, his eyes pressing on hers, his face now close to that mask of hers, “No, just about you.”

She took a long breath, and Souta could sense desperation. What was she afraid of?

“Are you here to hurt me?” Souta asked.

“Does it matter what I answer?” Yui replied.

He smiled, “You are a mantis now, and as your husband I will personally drive the deceitful past from your life.”

“As the risk of your own life?” She whispered.

“I’m not afraid to take that chance.”

His fingers slipped into the front of her robe, sliding the smooth material from her shoulder. Her skin was like silk, soft to the touch, without blemish. Souta put his lips to her skin, a soft kiss that made Yui shiver.

Her hands moved behind her back, and the sash around her waist was loosened. The robe slipped, revealing down to the curve of her cleavage. His fingers swept over the exposed flesh, feeling the heat from her body, the way she squirmed under his touch.

“Is your skin poison?” Souta said with a smile, “Should I be afraid to touch you?”

Yui backed herself against the wall, “It isn’t unheard of,” She said quietly.

Souta put his tongue to her collar, tasting her. That light hint of sweat sent a tingle through him. His lips left small pecks along her shoulder, while his hands swept down her sides.

The other shoulder was exposed, and he repeated the act there. When his eyes looked into Yui’s, he could see the hint of a blush, her eyes half-closed like her robe. Souta tugged at one side of the robe, exposing her left breast to the room, nipple and all.

His hand gripped her, and he massaged the soft mound as his kissed made their way down. With each kiss he could feel her grow tense, and her nipple harden. Until it was enveloped in his mouth, the teased flesh slipped in circles by his tongue.

Yui let out a moan, then sat up straighter, as if that would mask her reaction.

“If you intend to sting,” Souta said, “There is no better time than now.”

Her breathing was heavy now, causing her chest to heave up. She watched him, her eyes focused on just his face as he toyed with her womanly places.

Souta smiled, and slipped Yui to the floor there beside the wall. Laying above her, he saw how fragile she was, despite all attempts to hide behind wit and fear.

“Are you afraid?” Souta asked, “Have you realized now that you can’t scare me? Or trick me? The Yoritomi are stronger than you considered aren’t they?”

He exposed her other breast, pulling free the sash around her waist to let the robe fall open further. Her body was free from the waist up.

Yui was quiet, shaking, like a leaf. “Great men seem capable of movement, with some luck.”

“Luck?” Souta grunted, and he felt his blood boil, “The empire without the mantis would be nothing, and you without the mantis would be a shrinking blossom afraid to accept a man’s love.”

Yui looked away.

“As I thought,” He said, opening her robes to reveal her shameful nudity. His fingers touched her lower lips, and came away moist with her excitement.

“You will learn to be true to me, to this family, and to Rokugan,” Souta said as he forced aside his own robes. Between Yui’s curves and his own frustrations, his body had produced a thickness ready to conquer the scorpion’s sting. He placed himself against her, and savoured the look in her eyes.

“When you are exposed like this,” Souta said, “There is no room for deception. I can see you for who you are. The quiet girl, hiding behind the scorpion’s reputation, pretending to be a danger. You are no assassin, you just want to be close.”

Yui covered herself, one hand over her eyes, and another over her exposed breast.

He pushed into her, and no mask could hide the soft moan they shared as he filled her.

“Souta,” Yui whispered.

She was tight, and they were warm as their bodies touched. He knew then, he could love Yui. If this was her, not the villain in the parlour, he could survive this marriage.

Their thrusting took on a rhythm, slow for her sake, driving deep into her. Her body quaked with his motions, but she hid her expression behind mask and hand.

“No more hiding,” He said, moving her hand away, “We should be through with that mask, a mantis needs no mask.”

He laid close to her, sunk within her folds, and untied the mask at her face. Yui’s eyes looked confused, scared, and for a moment he questioned his course of action. He was sure, he had to be able to trust her.

The mask came away, and beneath the hard exterior he found the smile of a vixen.

Souta couldn’t mask his confusion.

Yui’s hands brought him in closer, and his lips locked with her ruby red smile. She kissed him, her tongue invading his mouth, their breath becoming one.

Her feet locked behind him, pulling him into her. He had no choice but to thrust, escape was impossible. Her hips moved with every push, their bodies meeting, the heat between them pushing Souta closer to the edge. He could feel her squirming, feel her body trying to squeeze everything from him, and once again he didn’t know if he wanted that.

Yui whispered with labored breath, “This is the perfect time to strike.”

Her hips bucked with his, their bodies intertwined. Yui’s eyes shut as she let out a long moan, and that was Souta’s limit. That look of brazen pleasure on her face, a woman who wanted him, needed him, loved him. This was a Yui he could truly love.

He sunk himself in deep, and a groan escaped his lips as Yui stole his seed. Her body clamped around him, holding him in close as he filled her with every drop.

When he collapsed, Yui rolled them onto their sides. She returned the mask to her face, her smile vanishing behind the stylized covering. She was back to Yui, fragile but false.

“Are you still thirsty?” She said, “You haven’t finished your other cup of tea.”