The Tea Wife

The Meeting

Misa was none too concerned when Mr. Yukawa told her to host a private tea ceremony at the old town dojo. Many men who had previously trained there as boys, like her late father, chose to hold meetings there now for finance. Her father had taken her during the last few years before the master had retired. There were very few students at that time and so the structure was retired to that of a meeting hall.

On the fourth, in late afternoon, Misa had arrived through the back garden with the specialty requested tea. She was caught surprised by the guard in front of the building and knew on sight that this business venture might indeed be a dangerous one.

Still she had resigned to be a model employee when Mr. Yukawa took her in after her father's passing. He had been a good man to her and even promised her she could earn a dowry, along with the things her mother had left. She had dressed in her last summer kimono for the occasion which had a wonderful sunset quality painted over flowers. She was certain that Mr. Yukawa had done the right thing to send a woman since his daughters would have been far too young despite their skill.

Misa let these things cloud her mind as she entered the little back halls with the tea making instruments. There were three pillowed seats arranged in the back of the room. One for the server and two for guests. The left pillow was currently occupied by a foreboding man with the aura of a king... he had piercing eyes. No doubt that look alone might make other men tremble and women flee.

Misa however was intrigued, his face said so much more. He was thinking deeply, with furrows on his brow, likely concerned. No doubt given his stature and clothing he was the one that the guard outside were protecting.

When the time came and the second party did not arrive, Misa began the ceremony. Across from her the mountain of a man was still deep in thought even as he watched her closely. He seemed more curious about her face than her hands which clockwise stirred the tea in a stone cup. So, tapping off the rasp for luck she handed forward the tea bowl and he accepted. Still with her layered gown and those wonderful strands of dark brown hair falling across it he was hypnotized as he watched her preform the tea ritual.

Not until his last sip did they both hear the commotion outside. Looking towards the sound she was frightened and didn't turn back until the sound of the cup shattering. The man had his immense hands clasped around his head as he rose stumbling backward.

Feeling weak and crazed suddenly he lashed out pushing her to the wall and holding her by the neck with his manly paw. Tanaka Rui was sure this beautiful kimonoed woman before him had to be a part of the plot.

"What is it are you afraid of me even now?"

"No". She cried grabbing at her throat but even then, he was shocked as she brought her hand up to his face. Touching him and looking with tearful eyes right at him. "No." She said again.

Rui relaxed his grip and stumbled towards her. A muscular fighter like a bag of lead that could weigh her down to the bottom of any lake fell onto her front.

"What's wrong?" She cried, but she already knew the answer. That tea had been poisoned or drugged and soon Rui would be vulnerable. Instead Misa lead him out a hidden doorway and through the back halls, escaping the building. She took a taxi to her family summer house which would be empty. The taxi driver and her barely got Rui to the couch inside before he became an unmovable mass.

As he lay on a cold futon his shirt had been ripped and was wet with sweat. Misa pulled it off him barely able to roll him side to side. He lay there with his body exposed. Even sick he was an overwhelming sight of manhood and strength. Misa took care to wipe his face and neck with clean water before finally covering up the seductive site of such a well framed muscular man. No doubt other woman might have been repulsed by the epitome of his strength and even the serious chisel of his face but Misa felt attraction.

Mr. Sumayaki had been a great lover of the fighting arts as a boy and when he became stricken with a weak heart he continued to follow the fighting even and support local dojos as a businessman. He shared his love of the strict discipline in martial arts with his daughter Misa. Even going so far as to take her along to matches. Her father would go on about the achievements and stamina of all these mighty fighters, which gave Misa the same admiration as her father had for their efforts in physical and mental training. At some point she became attracted to the notion of such men as an ideal husband. And so, it was that Rui found himself lucky enough to not only be in the care of a beauty but also one who regarded him as worthy.

After resting a spare blanket over the man Misa slid open the door to the old family bedroom. It still had some rolled mats in the corner which she took out. Instinctively she laid out all three on the raised wood floor. After removing her outer gown and taking out her hair pin. She brought herself down to sleep, pulling the kimono over herself as she did. It was only silk, but the cloistered home had not much left in way of supplies. She was lucky enough to find a long roll for a pillow.

At 3am that night Rui began to regain consciousness. He was suspicious of his surroundings, assuming he would have to fight his way free of kidnappers. Instead he felt the warmth of a blanket against his bare chest. He smelled fresh mountainous air drafting in along with unmistakable silence. Opening his eyes and rising slowly he saw his shirt tattered on the floor. He was on a small futon in what looked like a traditional home, but what had happened. Throwing the blanket over his shoulders he looked around the room. It was dark and empty. Rising he walked up the hall and found a closed door. Inside he saw that beautiful woman who had served him tea. She was lying on a sleeping mat in the moonlight covered in only a silk robe which could not have kept out the night air.

If this woman had saved him Rui decided it would be best to sleep near her both to be out of sight and able to protect her if they had been found. Quietly he laid down on the mat closest to her. He kept his eyes on her as he did. She was lovely with just a blush to her face and peach-white skin. Her hand was upturned lying askew near him. Acting without thinking he reached out and touched her soft fingers. Then he slid down to her palm where much to his surprise her fingers grasped his without waking. No woman had ever touched him without fear before. Her hands were soft but cool like fresh cream. Moving much closer than strangers should be, he quickly decided to lay the blanket across both of them while he continued to watch her sleep. Her hand never pulled away from his so he let the moment linger. Eventually they had both fallen asleep next to each other, one hand each entwined between them.