Lady Homoko's breasts were round and heavy like succulent peaches plucked right at the edge between summer and autumn. Applying the ointment to the Lady's silken skin Yuki hesitated just for a moment, her hand enjoying the firm roundness, the index finger brushing the small dark berry on top of the mound. Lady Homoko's nipples always stood proud and made themselves visible even under the heavy silk of her favorite kimono. To Yuki, they were special among the wonders of her Lady's body. There were the white, silken skin, her round, and even face, the perpetual smile that never reached the eyes. But even more wondrous were the areas special to Lord Shigeru and the Lady's handmaiden. Between her legs a thick but orderly glade of black hair, the firm round buttocks, and of course these breasts. To Yuki, they were an endless source of fascination and even envy. So her hand lingered for just a moment and the Lady Homoko noticed.
Her eyes narrowed just slightly but enough for Yuki to take a step back and hold her breath.
"Do you desire what is your lord's?", Homoko asked. She was reclining in her chair, nude but for a glistening second skin of fragrant oil that Yuki was applying to her. She spread her legs as if in invitation. "Do you?"
Yuki felt the blood rushing to her face. She never had lain with a woman or a man. Was it lust she felt when she helped to bathe her Lady or any of the other concubines at Lord Shigeru's Court? She didn't know, wasn't experienced enough but somehow realized it wasn't the same she felt the time when she witnessed the Stablemaster having his way with one of his boys. The two shadowy figures pressing against a wall, buttocks gleaming as the Stablemaster's rod slid in and out. Their groans and panting intermingling. It had made her feel hot and wet but also fearful. Whatever she felt with her Lady wasn't like this at all.
"Well, you can't have it.", said Lady Homoko, taking Yuki's silence for defiance. "Undress."
"What?"
"You heard me. Undress or I have the servants do it for you."
Confused and shaking Yuki loosed the sash of her Kimono and let it fall from her shoulders. Lady Homoko slid out of her chair and slowly paced around Yuki who stood stiff and erect, frightful of what would come next. Lady Homoko took hold of one of Yuki's breasts and lifted it. Her breasts were so small they fit into the palm of even Lady Homoko's delicate hand.
"You think I would waste myself on a creature as drab and ordinary as you?", the Lady asked. "You are skinny and small, your mouth is too wide and the tits -- well, you could easily pass for a boy." Yuki stared straight ahead not daring to speak or even breathe. But as the Lady twisted her breast she cried out a little. Satisfied, Homoko got hold of Yuki's jaw and turned her face so that she could stare into her eyes.
"Now listen closely, you sad thing.", she whispered, every word cutting like a razor. "If you are very lucky some bombu peasant will marry you when he tires of fucking his sheep, but more likely you will end up a spinster servant. Today is my Lord's reception and I have to look my best. Sadly there is nobody at court right now who has your skill in applying my makeup and while I am much inclined to toss you out into the streets for your insolence, I am giving you this last chance to stay in my good graces. Do you understand?"
Tears welling in her eyes, Yuki tried to nod, but Homoko's grip was of iron. Finally, the Lady gave a cold smile and let her go. "Get dressed and finish your job."
Lord Shigeru's reception was a ritual of mystery. The first guests arrived days before the event and the whole household buzzed like a beehive. Every room was cleaned and cleaned again. The stone lanterns were lit at dusk and kept burning till dawn, lighting the path for the Samurai with their entourage, and Lord Shigeru welcomed each and every one of them personally on his porch before they were guided to their quarters. Yuki had no idea, what happened in the reception. No servants were allowed except for the Lord's bodyguards and these kept their counsel even to the maids they lay with. All Yuki had seen were the marks that appeared on Lady Homoko's skin the day after the reception. They were of an angry red, not unlike rope burns, and lingered for days before they began to fade. Still, in the days before the reception the Lady was neither anxious nor fearful. Instead, she blossomed like a flower in spring and became even more self-assured and arrogant. Any other time she might have forgiven Yuki's misstep, but not before a reception. There was no doubt in Yuki's mind, that her mistress would get rid of her as soon as she could. As she walked behind Lady Homoko along the covered passage, that connected the main house to the building especially build for the reception, Yuki pondered her future. She felt afraid but also lightheaded, like the poor fool from legend, spreading his arms as he jumped off the cliffs of Jade Mountain. Her fingers clasped the lacquer case containing the brushes and powders to fix her lady's makeup should an emergency arise.
Two guards waited at the entrance, their swords exposed. They stepped aside when Lady Homoko reached the porch and she passed without acknowledging their presence. Yuki heard the clanking of their armor as they resumed their position. They entered a small vestibule with a curtain behind which lay the hall proper. Lady Homoko pointed to a narrow stool where Yuki settled, her knees on the hard floor, head bowed so the brow came to rest on the lacquer case. She only heard the rustling of the curtain when Lady Homoko passed through and left her alone with her thoughts. How would the Lady dismiss her? Would she give her a pouch of money and send her away with a letter of introduction to a future employer? Hardly. She would rip off her clothes and toss her to the streets to end her life as a prostitute. Then again -- would the Lady allow a common whore the privilege of boasting knowledge of her and thus raise her meager fee? Cold sweat stained the lacquer case as she realized the likeliest option: that the Lady would order someone to cut Yuki's throat. Maybe even one of the guards in front.
At this moment, Yuki decided to follow the fool's example and jump. If her life was forfeit anyway why not resolve the mystery of the reception? It was a childish thought but the desire to know, what happened behind these curtains overwhelmed her. She felt her breath quickening and warmth filling the place between her legs. She was not long for this world but suddenly this didn't matter anymore. All that mattered lay behind thick black drapes and the siren song calling her there grew stronger with every heartbeat. She got up, unheeding the lacquer case that slid across the floor. Slowly her hand stroked the curtain until it found the edge. Then, with one swift motion, she pulled the curtain open and slid between its dark, heavy folds.