It had been a long journey, but finally Guiying finally had made it to her target. Earlier this year, the jade necklace that had been a precious heirloom of her clan for generations had been stolen and smuggled out of her village on the coast of China to faraway lands by lowly pirates only out for the coins it could earn them. The young warrior in training had taken it upon herself to prove her worth by tracking the necklace down and returning it to her family. And now she sat, heart racing, on a tree branch overlooking the temple her last lead had led her to. “A regal woman of great influence, with fur white as snow, raven-black hair and always clad in the finest silken robes”, the merchant had told and, and clearly the goddess Inari fit that description like a glove. The red panda didn’t think the kitsune was necessarily aware of the theft of the necklace and had innocently bought it after it’s many travels on markets trustworthy and shady as the night. All she had to do was sneak into the temple grab the jade jewellery and hop back out without anyone noticing. “No sweat, Guiying, you can do this.” The young woman encouraged herself, straightening her veil-like mask before hopping down into the bushes.
“Hey, you! Show yourself!” A stern voice called out from behind her, making her groan at how fast her mission had gone south. Before she could react, she was tackled to the floor by a wolf samurai and had her hands bound behind her back. “Agh! Hey, let me go you jer-kkmmph!” The agitated guarded pulled away her mask, only to cram it into her mouth, taking a handkerchief from his robes to bind over her muzzle. “Grrrmph!” “Whatever you wanted to do to Inari-Sama, you can forget it!” The samurai growled, roping up Guiying surprisingly thoroughly. “I know your people, and you’re never up to any good!” “Whmt, whm? Hmph!” The red panda squeaked in surprise and wondered what kind of history her captor had and where he had learned to tie ropes like this.
“My goodness! Saito, what is the meaning of this?!” The goddess Inari stood in the entrance to her temple, visibly shocked. Both Saito and Guiying looked up in surprise. “L-l-lady Inari! I just apprehended this cowardly thief that was lurking around the temple!” “Cmwrd? Ymmh tmmph tft bmmhng!” “Quiet you!” “H-hmmph! Nmmh wmmh!” “I have no idea what harm you were going cause Inari-Sama, I will not allow it!”
“Saito, enough!” The fox goddess interrupted the argument. “First off all, you’re letting your experiences of the old wars with China taint your judgement. Secondly, how can she explain herself with a gag over her mouth? And thirdly… m-my, where did you learn to tie people up that way?” Saito failed to stammer out a reply, blushing when he realised, he had put the Chinese ninja in sensual shibari bondage. Inari gave a barely noticeable smirk, getting an idea "I see. In any case, we're not finished with our discussion, but we shall continue over some tea. Carry our captive to the tearoom and make her comfortable." "I-Inari-sama! What if she tries to escape?!" Her samurai protested fiercely but was quickly overruled by his mistress. "Oh, you can leave her tied and gagged if you so think that's necessary for safety. I just want you to get her knees off of this rough stone path and onto a nice soft tatami mat." "V-very well Inari-sama" Saito bowed and then picked up Guiying, one arm supporting her legs and another her lower back, but because of the way her legs had been tied, his hand ends up resting on her butt. The red panda girl cursed under her gag, shooting and embarrassed death glare at the samurai, who returned the sentiment. "H-hmmh!! Dnnmphtmphmh...phffrh..."
The samurai carried the prisoner the temple with relative ease, up the many flights of stairs, and to the upper tea room where he finally set her down on a tatami mat in front of a table. "W-what? Don't look at me like that!" The fox goddess came in, carrying a tray of tea making supplies "Saito-kun, make us some tea will you?" "Even for the prisoner?" "Naturally." "How is she to drink it? I'm not taking her gag off or untying her!" "Well you will take her gag off, but since you're so concerned with my safety, you're going to hold up the cup to her lips and help her drink it then~" "I-inari-sama-" "Enough, Saito. You need to learn to respect even our captives! This should be a nice, humbling exercise for you. Perhaps next time you'll think twice before going overboard on ropework. Am I clear, Rentaro Saito?" "C-c-clear as Lake Miyuki, Inari-sama." Guiying groaned into her gag in defeat as her captor and host argued. Clearly her search for her family necklace was far from over, and this evening was turning into one of the most embarrassing of her life.
Hopefully she would get more clarity on her quest the next morning.
