Raion sat in front of the framed picture of His father watching the trail of smoke from two joss sticks meander upwards to the ceiling. The scent was familiar but time had separated the sticks from their original box and the variety from His memory. He spent too many hours here now, wondering, remembering, wishing time would somehow shift into reverse gear and the answers to all His questions would leap incisively from His parent's mouth.
The room was tiny, just large enough for the small wooden table bearing the photograph and Himself. The picture was old, His father still a young man, printed in sepia colors and fuzzy from enlargement. He had refilled the offering bowls of rice and salt that morning as He did each day, a small repayment for the constant care He had received for so many years. He tried to meditate, but invariably ended as today in self-analysis, wishing He could turn the dissecting knife on His own faults with the same clarity that He used on others.
The sound of geta approaching along the gravel path bought Him back into focus. Momentarily He found the sound inconclusive, a pattern not immediately identifiable, then remembering the time concluded it must be chouko arriving for the nightly bathing ritual.
"Daimyo may I ask you a question?"
Chouko had been unusually quiet and formal this visit and Raion had been awaiting for enlightenment.
"I have never given you reason to hold your tongue yet chouko."
"Indeed Daimyo and it is that which presses me to ask. Do you find madoka unattractive?"
Raion considered carefully before answering. Experience had taught Him that talking about His personal feelings was never easy and always led Him to some disadvantage.
"I find madoka quite acceptable in appearance."
"Then perhaps she is just undesirable?"
Again Raion considered. He was well aware that the very presence of madoka in His house was entirely due to chouko's machinations. He would never say so but was certain she knew His was aware of the attempt at manipulation.
"She is equally as desirable as any other."
"I am happy to hear that Daimyo but it must beggar another question. Why do you not beat her? The poor girl is quite distraught that You are so unfeeling."
Raion was beginning to feel uncomfortable. These conversations with chouko were private and discreet but still He was uninclined to discuss such delicate matters.
"I am sorry if I have overstepped my bounds Lord."
Damn geisha intuition. They had a way of following body language that made concealment difficult especially when stark naked.
"It is quite alright chouko. Don't be offended."
"My Lord it is I who have offended."
She had descended to a full seiza bow at His feet her forehead pressed hard against the wooden floor. Raion felt dismayed but still found a moment to admire the amazing pear shaped posterior that presented itself to His view. The cleft between her buttocks was spread wide in her submissive pose and He felt the stirrings of excitement heat His loins.
"My Lord I must make recompense."
Double damn geisha intuition, she knew He was aroused.
She moved her head to the side of His right foot so deftly He hardly noticed. A little further and her lips gently enclosed His big toe. Her tongue was like an eel wriggling breathe and what had been a half erection sprung into full blossom.
"Chouko there is no need of this."
Releasing His toe her tongue found His instep, flattening and sliding upwards, across the ankle, then shin, to rest momentarily on His knee.
"My Lord has a great need."
As she spoke her mouth moved again, the tongue trailing onto His inner lower thigh, upper thigh, before dipping and sliding from His tight full sac to swollen cock head.
Madoka awaited chouko's arrival patiently. Something about her mama-sans summons had made her nervous but her greeting by her fellow maiko in the pleasure gardens had settled her fears. Their air was light and bubbly, quite the opposite to the response expected if their often harsh madam was in a poor humor.
"Mama-san has been at the Daimyos most of the evening. Much longer than her usual visits."
Both ayame and emiko giggled discreetly at kaoru's rather obvious suggestiveness.
"I am sure they have many important matters to discuss. The Daimyo has many pressing matters."
Madoka was finding this casual reference to possible carnal relations between the mama-san and Raion surprisingly uncomfortable. She was more than aware that all the girls from the pleasure gardens would be more than happy to pillow and service the Daimyo but still found the thought bafflingly disturbing. She had the greatest respect for chouko both as an employer and teacher but couldn't help feeling something of hers was being stolen in plain sight.
Why madoka I do believe you are jealous."
Ayame was forever trying to bate madoka. They had been rivals as children, as schoolgirls, as lovers and now as maiko.
"I am not jealous. That's ridiculous. The ownership is of me not of my Master."
"Oh, Your Master is it. Strange sort of Master when He doesn't take the time or trouble to beat you properly."
The jibe stabbed madoka deep and clenching her fists hard not to cry she flushed bright crimson as the bloody moon.
"You're the one who is jealous ayame. At least I get to pillow with my Master and for your information he is very good and very, well very manly."
Madoka wanted to say huge by Japanese standards but even in anger she knew discretion was essential in her duties.
"Really madoka. How big is it?"
Emiko had been quiet to this point in the interplay but phallic matters were her greatest fascination.
"It's not something a geisha can discuss with others."
Madoka felt quite superior now and reveled in the sudden envy showing in the other's faces.
"Well a little hint wouldn't do any harm madoka."
Emiko reached over to the top drawer of a dresser and took out three dildos of various sizes.
"Now you don't have to say anything but just smile when I am right. How about this one?"
The first dildo was about five inches long and an inch thick. Madoka gave no smile.
"You sure He is Japanese?"
All the girls giggled in unison.
"How about this one?"
The second dildo was seven inches long and an inch and a half thick. Madoka pulled a very straight face.
"This one?"