The crowd gathered near the inn gasps as all three cutthroats fall at the rōnin's feet, felled by a single slash. Your see her blade return to her sheath, and she turns towards you. The cold-blooded glare in her red eyes softens, sedated by your visage, and she steps towards you, placing her palm on your head.

"I hope I haven't scared you back there." Her fingers run through your hair as she speaks serenely, and you look up to see her nigh-possessive gaze, unchanging ever since the day you met.

"You're always so wet for me," she mutters, a hint of a smile playing at the corner of her lips as your warmth seeps through her kimono. Her hand slips down to cup your breast, feeling the nipple harden beneath her palm. You squirm in pleasure, arching your back and pressing closer to her touch.

"I'll take that as a compliment," she says softly, her breath tickling your ear. "Do you want more?"

She nods in understanding, but the hint of disappointment flits across her features. "Then we should head inside," she says, leading you back into the inn and upstairs to their room. Once they're alone, she turns to face you, closing the distance between them. Her hands cup your cheeks, gently guiding your face upwards until your eyes meet hers.

"I want you to know that I don't mind showing off my affection for you, Nagi,"

Her voice is low and velvety, almost hypnotic. "I don't care what anyone else thinks or says. You are mine, and I am yours." She leans in, their lips mere inches apart as she speaks these words, her breath fanning across your face. The desire burning in her eyes is unmistakable.

"But if you prefer us to keep this... private," she continues, trailing a finger down your neck and over the curve of your breast, "then I will respect that."

Her lips curl into a satisfied smile as she hears your words. "Very well," she says, and before you can so much as blink, her mouth is on yours. Her kiss is deep and hungry, claiming your lips like they belong to her alone. One of her hands slips underneath your kimono, finding skin-on-skin contact with your heated body. The other hand tangles in your hair, holding you still as she takes what she wants.

"Mine,"

Her lips whisper against yours. "You are mine." Her hips grind against yours as her arousal grows, and she feels herself growing wetter with every passing second. She breaks the kiss, panting heavily, her eyes locked onto yours as she savors the sight of your flushed face and swollen lips.

"Do you understand?" Her voice is rough from desire, but steady. "I will protect you no matter what." She pauses for a moment before continuing, her words coming out in short bursts. "

Her heart skips a beat at your response, and she can't help but lean forward again, sealing their lips together in a passionate kiss. Her hand slips further down between your legs, feeling your wetness as she presses against you, seeking release for both of you. The other hand cups your breast once more, massaging and pinching the nipple roughly as her desire spirals out of control.

Her tongue dances with yours as her body moves in tandem with hers, grinding against you harder, faster. Her free hand slides down your stomach and between your legs, finding the heat she's been seeking. She thrusts two fingers inside of you roughly, feeling you clench around them as she hits a particularly sensitive spot.

"Yes... Nagi..." she moans into your mouth. "That's it..." With each stroke of her fingers and each press of their lips together, she feels the tension building in her core.

Her hips buck violently as she comes undone, her voice muffled by your neck as she lets out a guttural moan. Her fingers continue to move inside of you, finding rhythm even as her body quivers with aftershocks. She pulls away from the kiss, panting heavily, and looks down at you with a satisfied smile.

"Better?" she asks, her voice still rough from desire. You nod weakly, your eyes glazed over with pleasure. "Good,"

The scent of blood still clings to her skin, but the steam from the bath carries away any lingering traces. She sits in the shallow water, watching as Nagi brings over a bucket of warm water and pours it into the tub. The girl's cheeks are still flushed, and she seems a bit out of breath herself, but her eyes shine with determination.

"Thank you," Iori says softly, making no move to get up.

Nagi nods, smiling shyly as she turns to leave. "You're welcome." She pauses in the doorway and glances back at her mistress one more time before disappearing from view. Iori lets out a quiet sigh, leaning back against the tub. The warm water feels good against her skin, but it doesn't help to wash away the memories of all those she's killed or the constant feeling that she's only delaying the inevitable.

"I hope,"

she murmurs to herself, "that I can keep her safe." Her hand idly drifts down to stroke your kimono where it lies folded on the floor beside the tub. The silk is soft against her fingertips, a stark contrast to the roughness of her skin. She closes her eyes, trying to clear her thoughts for just a moment as she luxuriates in the bath.

"Perhaps," she whispers into the quiet space, "perhaps we can find some peace together."

Time passes slowly as Iori soaks in the tub. Her mind wanders back to the events of the day, and her heart aches for Nagi. She knows that she is not a good influence on the girl, but she cannot help but feel protective of her. Perhaps if she can find a way to change, to become someone better...

A soft knock comes at the door, and Nagi pokes her head inside. "Mistress? I've brought your clothes."

"Nagi," she calls, and the girl turns back towards her. "Thank you for everything today. I know it wasn't easy." Her eyes meet Nagi's, and there is an unspoken understanding between them.

The girl bows her head in acknowledgement, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "You're welcome, mistress. It's my honor to serve you." As she says this, Iori can't help but wonder how long that sentiment will last.

As they step out of the inn, the setting sun paints the sky in hues of red and gold. The air is cooler now that night has fallen, but there's still a hint of warmth lingering from the day's heat. Iori adjusts her kimono, making sure it's secured before turning to Nagi.

"There's something I wanted to ask you," she says quietly. "Do you remember when we first met?"

Her expression softens at your words. "Yes, that's right. You were there with your parents..." Iori trails off, her voice growing hoarse as she tries to fight back the memories of how they died. She clears her throat and continues. "Anyway, do you remember what I said when we first met?"

"I told you that I would protect you no matter what." Her eyes meet yours, searching for any sign of understanding or recognition. "And even though things have changed... I still mean it." She reaches out to take your hand in hers, squeezing it gently. "As long as we're together, I will never let anyone harm you again."

Her words are solemn, but there's an unspoken promise hidden beneath the surface. A vow that she intends to keep, no matter the cost.

Nagi nods, thinking for a moment before answering. "You said that you would protect me... That we were meant to be together." Her voice is soft and hesitant, as if she's afraid to remember the words herself.

"Do you still feel that way?" she asks quietly, glancing up at Iori from beneath her lashes. "Even after everything that's happened?"