BindingCherryBlossoms by Gia Dawn

and began to stir, she sloshed it
around much too fast and spilled a decent portion of the water on the mat.
“Begin again.”
    Sakura was startled when her eyes met Ty’s across the mat
and he gave her an encouraging smile. If he did know who she was, it stood to
reason he would keep her secret as readily as Madame Manette. She moved to pour
the water once more, buoyed by the soldier’s encouragement.
    She closed her eyes and saw herself tied up in the purple
silk rope—a bound and beautiful work of art. Then she pictured herself copying
every gesture of the woman in the video, letting the images guide her hands.
She was competent. She was graceful. She knew the ritual. She was sublime.
    As Sakura let herself flow into the movements, she found she
had learned much more than she’d given herself credit for. Her Bakushi’s grunts of displeasure grew few and far between as she cleaned the bowl, scooped
up the powdered tea and poured fresh water into the mix.
    When she was finished whisking the tea to its final
consistency, she handed the bowl to the man beside her, pleased when he took
several sips and passed the bowl to Ty. When he gave it back to her she drank,
dumped out what little of the liquid was left and cleaned the bowl once more
before placing it back in its original position and bowing to her guests.
    Well that wasn’t hard at all. Sakura allowed herself
a smile of triumph that she had actually managed to pull it off, even with the
added stress of their unexpected guest.
    “Well done, keisei .” Both men bowed to her in return.
“A fine effort.”
    Ty added his gratitude. “Thank you.”
    “Now it is time for my other apprentice to practice.”
    Sakura’s head shot up as both men stood. Had she heard
correctly? What was Ty going to practice? Did they intend to tie her up
together?
    The thought was enough to make her want to flee. No way
would she be a part of something so totally depraved. While she had agreed to
one man roping her up, she had no intention of granting another the same
permission.
    In a fit of growing panic, she jumped to her feet tripping
over the hem of her kimono to land sprawling on the mat, knocking over the
kettle and sloshing hot water over her wrist. Determined not to let them see
the angry red burn, Sakura tucked her arm into the sleeve of her kimono,
fighting back tears of pain as she turned to lock herself in the bathroom.
    “Stop,” her Bakushi ordered, but his voice held as
much concern as ire. “Did you hurt yourself?”
    She shook her head.
    He reached out and took her chin in his hand, forcing her
face to his. “Never lie to me, keisei . I will not see you harmed in any
way. Show me your wrist.”
    But she stubbornly refused to let him see. How could she
have gotten herself into this situation? Sakura suddenly wanted to be done with
the entire evening, her stomach churning as she thought of both men forcing the
ropes around her.
    “Let me see.” He wrapped his hand around her wrist, pulling
her tight against his chest as he examined the burn. Then he turned to Ty. “Go
get an emergency medical kit and bring some ice.” He led her to the bathroom
where he held her arm under a gentle spray of cold water as Ty disappeared out
the door.
    “I am fine, really,” she protested.
    He stared at her from beneath the mask, worry setting his
mouth into a grim and unapproachable line. “You are most certainly not fine,
and I should be taking you to the emergency room.”
    She jerked back, shaking her head so hard she almost
dislodged her mask, settling it hurriedly back into place when she heard a
knock at the door.
    Ty returned with the med kit and set it on the floor as
their teacher held Sakura’s wrist out for the man’s inspection. He retrieved a
numbing cream from the kit and smeared it gently across her skin before
wrapping the injury in gauze and placing a bag of ice lightly over the whole
thing.
    “Nothing major,” he pronounced, giving her an easy smile.
“Is it