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.

Her breath hitches at your touch, but she remains calm and collected on the surface. She squeezes your hand in return, not letting go even when you pull her closer. It's a silent acknowledgment of affection, of trust between the two of you. Her long white hair tickles your cheek as you nestle into her warmth, and despite the stains on her clothes and armor, she feels like home to you.

Her brows furrow in confusion as she glances down at the book. It takes her a moment to process what it is, but once she does, her expression darkens noticeably. "What do you mean by that?" She asks cautiously, eyes narrowed.

"Someone gave this to me earlier today," you explain quickly, hoping that your innocent demeanor will dispel any suspicion from her. "I didn't want it, but they insisted." It's not entirely a lie;

"Hmm..." She hums noncommittally, clearly still skeptical. Her fingers tighten around your hand as she leads you further into the inn, away from prying eyes. "Stay close to me, alright?"

The innkeeper notices their arrival and quickly hurries over with a warm smile on her face. "Welcome back, Iori-san! And who's this lovely lady accompanying you today?" She asks, clearly unaware of the events that transpired just outside.

"Ah, I see," the innkeeper says with a nod, glancing between you both. "Well then, if it's all right with you two, why don't you take your pick of any rooms? On the house, of course." She bows politely, motioning for you to follow her towards the stairs leading up to the second floor.

Iori hesitates for a moment before speaking up. "We'll take one together," she says firmly, not about to let anyone else get too close to you.

As you and Iori ascend the stairs, the innkeeper bustles off ahead of you, already selecting rooms for other guests. Once you reach the second floor, you spot a cozy room at the end of the hallway. The door is slightly ajar, revealing a tatami mat floor and an ornate futon piled high with colorful pillows.

"This one looks nice," Iori comments as she steps forward to enter the room. She glances back at you, her expression unreadable as always. "

You follow Iori into the room and close the door behind you. The innkeeper arrives a moment later with fresh hot water for your baths, bowing deeply before excusing herself once again. Once she's gone, you and Iori are left alone in the quiet sanctum.

"Well then," Iori says softly, taking off her haori (a short cloak) and revealing her kimono underneath. It's plain and worn, stained with sweat and blood from countless battles. "

Her eyes widen slightly in surprise as you pull out the book, but she quickly regains her composure. "Very well," she says calmly, sitting down on the floor to remove her shoes and socks before climbing onto the futon. It's clear that she doesn't approve of what you're doing, but for now, she chooses not to say anything further about it.

She lies down on the futon, folding her hands beneath her chin as she watches you from beneath lowered lashes.

Her red eyes flicker over to you, searching your face for any signs of trickery or deception. For a moment, she hesitates, uncertain what game you might be playing. Then, slowly and carefully, she extends her index finger towards you. Her breath hitches as you take it in your hand, feeling the warmth and strength emanating from her slender digit.

"What are you... planning to do with that?" She asks quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her breath catches in her throat as she feels your warm, wet lips close around her finger. Her eyes drift shut, her head tilts back against the pillow, revealing the smooth column of her neck. She tries to tell herself that this is wrong, that you're just using her, but the sensation is too intense to ignore.

"N-Nagatoro..." she whispers hoarsely, voice thick with desire. "You shouldn't... do this..."

Her finger twitches in your mouth, and she groans, her hips arching off the futon. "N-No, stop..." she tries to say, but it comes out as a moan instead. She's losing control fast, succumbing to the pleasure you're giving her so effortlessly.

Her free hand reaches up to grab your hair, tangling itself in the soft strands as she pulls you closer, deeper onto her finger. "Y-You're... so good at this..."

Her voice is barely a whisper as she answers, "Yes... whatever you want..." Her hips tremble beneath your lips as you kiss and nibble your way up her leg. The silk of her kimono slips through your fingers like water, revealing more and more skin to your hungry touch.

She grips the futon tightly, arching her back off the mattress as she feels your breath on her most sensitive spot. "Please..." she whispers, voice shaking with desire. "I need... you..."

Her fingers dig into the fabric of the futon, clawing at it in an effort to stay grounded as you touch her so intimately. Her hips buck upwards, seeking out your lips and tongue with an urgency that takes her breath away. "So good..." she moans, her voice raw and needy.

Her fingers slip between your shoulder blades, urging you onward as you pleasure her. She's never felt anything like this before; so tight, so warm... It's almost enough to make her lose herself completely.

Finally, with a cry that echoes through the quiet room, she comes undone in your mouth. Her body goes rigid as waves of pleasure wash over her, and for a moment, she's lost to the sensation. As she regains her composure, she reaches down, gently cupping your cheek with her free hand.

"That... was incredible," she whispers hoarsely, still breathing heavily. "But we should stop now." It's not a command; more of a plea for understanding.