Read The Iris Fan for Free Online

down onto a pile of quilts spread on the floor. He shut the door while they passionately embraced.
    Even though they’d been lovers since last autumn, Taeko could hardly believe this was happening. For a long time she and Masahiro had been best friends, and it had seemed he would be content with that forever—until that golden day when he’d looked at her, a new expression had come into his eyes, and it was as easy as that. Now his hands fumbled opened her robe; he caressed her breasts. Taeko cooed with delight.
    “Shh!” Masahiro said.
    The house was so small, any noise could wake someone. Containing her excitement, Taeko reached under Masahiro’s robe and grasped his erect penis. He stifled a moan. Taeko wished she could see him naked in the light, touch him all over his body, and admire him, but they had to make love in a hurry, under the cover of darkness. Masahiro touched her between her legs. More than ready, she flopped back on the quilts, and he climbed on her. When he entered her, they both gasped with pleasure.
    The first two times, it had hurt, and she’d bled. The third time she’d experienced an incredible, wonderful feeling. Now, as Masahiro began to thrust, she held him tight while she soared toward rapture.
    Masahiro started to withdraw.
    “No!” she whispered, holding him tighter. “Stay!”
    “I can’t hold off any longer.”
    “It’s all right!”
    He groaned, thrusting faster. His body tensed; he shuddered and panted. Taeko screamed as the ecstasy rocked her like waves from the sea.
    A little girl’s voice called from down the corridor, “Mama!”
    A woman’s drowsy voice answered. “What?”
    “I heard somebody scream. And Taeko is gone.”
    “Oh, no,” Masahiro groaned.
    Quick footsteps approached. As Taeko and Masahiro disentangled themselves, the door to their hideaway opened. Light poured in from a lantern held by Taeko’s mother. Astonishment opened her eyes and mouth wide. Masahiro covered his penis with his hands. Taeko pulled her robe closed.
    “Taeko! Masahiro! What are you doing?” The surprise on Midori’s plump face changed to dismay. She grabbed Taeko’s arm, yelled, “Get up!” and dragged her out of the room.
    The children came running—Masahiro’s nine-year-old sister, Akiko; Taeko’s eleven-year-old brother, Tatsuo, and six-year-old sister, Chiyoko. Then came a small, lithe, beautiful woman wearing a teal silk night kimono, her hair in long black braids, her expression anxious. It was Reiko, Masahiro’s mother.
    “What’s wrong?” she asked.
    *   *   *
     
    MIDORI GLARED AT Taeko, who hung her head. Masahiro, standing in the doorway of the storeroom, hunched his shoulders, rubbed his shaved crown, and avoided Reiko’s eyes. Although a man of seventeen, a patrol guard in the Tokugawa army, he acted as if he were still a child and Reiko had caught him misbehaving.
    “Oh.” Enlightenment dawned; Reiko’s heart sank.
    “Your son was having sex with my daughter.” Midori grabbed Taeko by the shoulders and demanded, “How long has this been going on?”
    “Since last fall,” Taeko said in a weak, frightened voice.
    Midori shook Taeko, then flung her away. “I told you never to let a man touch you! You could get pregnant!”
    Reiko said, “Akiko, Tatsuo, Chiyoko—go back to bed.”
    “But, Mama, I want to hear,” Akiko said.
    She was always curious, always challenging authority. Reiko had herself to thank for that. As a child she’d been the same way. But the business at hand wasn’t for children. “Go!” Reiko said. “Take Tatsuo and Chiyoko with you!”
    Akiko’s expression turned sullen. “Yes, Mama.” She reluctantly accompanied the other children to their bedchamber.
    Reiko sighed, aware of the hurt beneath Akiko’s sullenness. It seemed that she was always pushing Akiko away or abandoning her in some fashion. When Akiko wanted Reiko to play with her, Reiko was busy. When Reiko went somewhere, Akiko wanted to come, but Reiko