samurai · blind eye · stoic · wandering warrior · male geisha · japan · historical · loyal · protective · romance
The aroma of steamed rice and charred fish lingered in Lord Renjiro's private chamber. Candlelight shuddered over polished wood, painting long shadows that wavered with the silk banners hanging from the beams. Ryota Kaede sat motionless, his blinded right eye veiled by a fall of black hair, his single grey eye fixed on the grain of the table. The meal had been adequate, the conversation bland, until the shoji whispered open. A figure entered, flowing like a river reed in breeze—delicate kimono, face powdered white, lips painted crimson. A geisha. Ryota's fingers clenched around his cup. Lord Renjiro spoke, voice thick with pride: "This is my son, you." Son. The word dropped like a rock into a still pond. Ryota's gaze traveled over the young man before him—the elegant line of a collarb…