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Chapter Text

Any passerby would call this little bit of the Samurai's life "business as usual. Robot assassins make an attempt on his or a bystander's life. Jack takes out his sword. Chaos ensues. The rubble clears. He's alive. The bystander hopefully is too.

The bystander in this instant being a young woman, slightly frazzled, but okay.

"Are you alright?" Jack holds out a calloused hand to her. She stares at it for a beat, and Jack fears he may have underestimated how frightened she was. Then she takes his hand and smiles and he smiles back, relieved.

"Yes, I...I think I am. Thank you so much, Samurai Jack. I didn't think I'd ever have the pleasure." The woman says sincerely. She brushes dirt off her white skirt and black blouse, seeming to regain composure in the little motions. Jack takes a moment to admire her long brown hair flowing in the wind before he catches himself.

"The pleasure is mine. I hope it is not too rude of me to ask you for directions to the nearest village?"

The woman beams. "Actually, I was just on my way." She stared up at him, a foot shorter, and Jack was taken off guard by her large brown eyes. They were warm and inviting, and he once more found himself having to remember his manners. She was a lady, and he was not permitted to stare.

For too long.

"Well, I would be in your debt if you would bring me with you. I could be your escort, perhaps, in case you are attacked again." He paused, his curiosity peeked. "Why were you attacked?"

She sighed, her eyes shimmering with resignation. "I fell behind in some tax payments again. They were coming to collect, and when I begged for more time, they said my life would be adequate payment."

Jack frowned with sympathy. "Such atrocity. Is that the way of life for your village?"

"Yes, well, mostly me. Business is slow, and I-oh! Where are my manners? Here I am guiding you and you don't even know my name. I'm Sonia."

Jack bowed his head with a polite smile. "They call me Jack. But I suppose you already knew that."

Sonia giggled softly, and Jack's smile broadened a fraction. "You're as handsome as your reward posters."

A sliver of warning crawled down Jack's spine. He could not be sure who to trust these days, and Sonia had more or less confirmed she knew of him through infamy. But then, so did many civilians in the towns and bustling cities he had passed through in his travels. Perhaps for now, he could remain optimistic.

But he would remain cautious too.

With an awkward cough, Jack said, "Well, we had best go before the sun sets."

Sonia nodded, thankfully not acknowledging the awkward change of subject. "Of course. It's just this way."

Jack kept his hand near his sword. Just in case.

XXX

She had not, in fact, been leading him into a trap.

The village she brought him to was small and cozy, with some rice plantations that reminded him of home and hay fields that did not, but still felt welcoming all the same. No one paid them much mind outside of a small nod or grunt of acknowledgement. Jack was still guarded, but quietly heartened to know that some areas were relatively untouched by Aku's evil.

"Are you just passing through, Samurai, or do you require a place to stay?" Sonia asked after a few steps on the path to what appeared to be an inn.

Jack hummed thoughtfully, watching the sunset. The pinks and purples were lovely and stretched on for miles, but they would soon give way to the coming black of night. He did not know how far the next village was, and the walk from the robot ambush to this abode had been a good few hours.

He contemplated some more, Sonia waiting patiently for an answer. The young woman had so far been kind and quiet, respecting his need for silence. Her attitude did not even slightly hint at an ulterior motive, and from her pale skin and familiar structure, it was easy to tell she was human. As was everyone in the village. It wasn't often that he found a safe haven, but perhaps he could give this place a chance.

"That would be lovely." He said at last.

Sonia's countenance lit up with a subtle kind of joy, and Jack felt himself letting his guard down a little more. Something about her happiness was very contagious.

"Well, you'll be happy to know that I own an inn of sorts." She reached for his hand, shyly withdrawing when she remembered to say, "May I?"

"Of course." Jack let her take his hand, silently drinking in more of the sights around him. A farming community most likely. Everyone around him was absorbed in their work, putting cows and chickens back into their pens or tilling fields to prepare for another harvest. None of the building loomed over him like the skyscrapers in the cities. They were small, but cozy, and he could smell many dinners of stew and veggies wafting out of open windows.

He was so caught up in his thoughts, he gave a small start when Sonia said, "We're here."

An inn of sorts, she had called it. Jack could see some doors leading to different bedrooms, as well as a desk where anyone could check in. But what truly caught his attention was the amazing smell in the air. Incense, he realized with elation. He tried to place the name of the scent.

"Smells nice, right?" Sonia's soft, gentle voice brought him back. "I made the incense myself. It's a special kind that matches what the customer considers the most relaxing kind of scent."

"Very interesting. How do you make such a thing?" Jack took more steps inside, wondering if he could take his sandals off yet. The carpet just barely brushed his feet, but he could already feel how soft it had to be. He wondered what material it was.

"Well, my line of work has a specific focus that inspires me." She stepped behind the desk, leaning over it and folding her arms. "But I can tell you more later if you wish. Would you like to check in?"

"Ah, yes." Jack fished for coins out of his pocket. "How much?"

"Ten for a night."

"Are you sure? That seems a little low-"

"For you, dear Samurai?" Sonia's brown eyes were affectionate and caring. "Hardly."

Jack almost protested. She had just been saying earlier that business was slow. She even admitted that she'd been attacked by tax collectors.

But one look into her eyes, and he...sighed. "I suppose I can accept then."

"Very good." Her eyes seemed to shimmer in the light of the candles that decorated the desk. Jack blinked, wondering how he had so quickly gone from cautious to comfortable.

"Now, before you go to bed, I would like to offer you a little service." She folded a hand over his, once more guiding him. This time to a pink couch in the small lobby. In front of it was a coffee table with more incense and a selection of tea and fine China.

"Service? Do you perhaps mean food?" Jack was gently sat down on the sofa, where he immediately sank into its soft surface. He almost sprang back up with surprise, but Sonia laid a hand on his head pressed him back down, kindly but insistently.

"Are you hungry, dear Samurai?" Sonia's voice had only gotten softer since he'd entered the inn, and Jack found himself hoping he would hear more and more of it.

He shook himself out of his stupor. "Oh, no. But I would not mind something to drink."

Sonia nodded, taking a tea kettle from the coffee table and pouring into one of the small cups. The calming scent of chamomile entered Jack's nose, and the smoke of the incense slowly wound its way around the steam, a relaxing combination. He blinked slowly.

"The tea has already been prepared?" He murmured the question, vaguely surprised by how soft his voice had become.

"Well, as I said earlier, my line of work has a specific focus." Sonia's voice was quiet and slow, almost rhythmic in its cadence. Jack really liked it.

She continued. "I am human, but not quite. Once upon a time, I witnessed the stress and weariness of travelers and warriors marching through our village. They could never stop, for they had their duty and honor that prevented them from resting. Over and over, I watched them trek on, spent and exhausted, utterly miserable, unable to even sit for a moment."

Sonia paused, wrapping Jack's fingers around the teacup. "Drink, please."

Jack obeyed, pressing the cup to his lips and taking a small sip. Then a bigger one. Then another. "This is very good." His belly warmed and tingled with the effects of delicious chamomile, spreading to his hands, toes, and head.

"Thank you." Sonia smiled. Jack smiled back. She was so kind. And her voice was so nice. He blinked again, finding it a little harder to open his eyes this time.

"No matter how often I offered my rooms and the chance to rest," She continued, "They refused. I could not stand seeing such wonderful people risking their lives with no peace, even temporarily."

She paused again, her eyes on his. "May I ask you to take a deep breath?"

Jack saw no harm in that. He breathed in...he breathed out...the incense was so wonderful. The tea was so warm as it flowed languidly through his body. Her brown eyes were so warm and caring.

"Very good." She smiled. Jack smiled too.

"So, one day," She opened a little drawer in a cabinet of the small table. Inside was an even smaller book, with a title in a language Jack didn't understand. "I did all I could to find a way to...persuade these brave souls to rest."

Persuade? Jack groaned a bit, finding that word alarming for some reason.

"Then as if by fate, I found a way." She opened the little book, her brown, brown eyes scanning its pages with interest. "This book came to me by chance, granting magic of a persuasive sort. Some call it witchcraft or spells. But I prefer to call it what it simply is...hypnotism."

Jack started, sleepy stupor beginning to fade. Hypnosis. Like the spells the sirens weaved on him to steal his mind. Or, more appropriately, like the gentle caress of Spring attempting to lull him to sleep.

He tried to spring up, to grab his sword, to do anything that might help him regain his alertness.

But before he could even begin to try, a hand was on his head. Impossibly soft. Impossibly gentle.

"Hush, now, dear Samurai. I am not here to hurt you. I will not allow any harm to come to you. I simple want you...to rest."

Jack gritted his teeth. "You...are lying..." His jaw was so heavy, it was like talking through molasses. "You...you...I..." It was just like Spring, he wanted to say. She would imprison him here, and Aku would be free to wreak havoc for all eternity.

"I am not." Her smile was sincere. "I'm sorry that it seems as though I deceived you. The warriors passing through here often do not want my help without my powers of persuasion. If there is any manipulation happening, it is simply because I wanted you to have a most restful sleep until morning."

Her hand pressed into his head, warm and secure. Without realizing it, he was sinking back into the cushions. The incense wasn't just in his nose, it was wrapped around him like a cocoon. The tea was still coursing through his body, still delightfully warm. He was delightfully warm.

"I'm sorry, dear Samurai. I didn't mean to frighten you. I had known you were a fighter, but you must truly have seen many awful things to resist my powers. But I need you to trust me. I am going to help you. All I desire is for you to sleep soundly."

"I...I..." Jack's protests were sluggish. His eyes were so heavy. Hers were so beautiful. The hand on his head was firm yet caring. He wondered blearily if his instincts would save him as they did with Spring, but....

He was so, so tired.

Sonia's voice washed over him again. "What are you feeling, dear Samurai?"

His hands were lead weights, but he managed to move them over the surface of the cushion. "Soft..." He sighed blissfully.

Her hand moved from the top of his head, trailing to his cheek and tracing slow little circles. He couldn't help the dazed smile spreading over his face. Sonia smiled too. It made him happy.

"What do you see?"

"Your...eyes..." Warm and honey colored and sweet. He could drown in them, but this was far more pleasant than drowning. It was sinking. He was sinking into her eyes. Sinking into safety. Sinking into sleep.

"What do you smell?"

"Incense..." He couldn't place the name of the wonderful scent. He supposed that didn't matter. Not when it was wrapped around him so snuggly and securely. Not when he felt so safe and cozy.

"What do you taste?"

"Cham...chamo...ch..." Warm. The tea was so warm. And he was so cozy.

"Why don't I just..." Sonia touched the knot of his pony tail, pulling at it and letting his long hair slide to his shoulders in a little blanket over his head. His eyes fluttered.

Her forehead pressed to his, and he almost slipped away right then. He hadn't felt so cared for since he was a child being held by his mother. He wondered if Sonia would sing for him as his mother did. That would be truly-

She kissed his forehead, and he flushed. He was overwhelmed with joy. Safety. Utter bliss.

"How do you feel now, dear Samurai?"

Blissful. Happy. Relaxed. Warm. Soooo sleepy..."Good." Was all he managed with his heavy jaw.

Her smile gained a touch of mischief. "What is my name?"

Jack could hardly comprehend the question. "S...sss..."

She giggled. He giggled too. He didn't understand what was so funny, but he was glad he made her laugh.

"Say what comes to mind, dear Samurai."

"Mm...I..." All that was coming to mind was how good he felt. How could he possibly convey such a thing with mere words? "You....ah..." He could not.

Sonia giggled, stroking his hair. He shivered at the pleasant sensation, feeling very much like a sleepy little puppy with a loving owner. He murmured more things, hoping she knew how good she was making him feel, how unbelievable it was that he could feel so loved and safe so far from home.

Had Jack been more conscious, he would have seen the fondness flash through her eyes. "You really are adorable." He flushed more.

She smiled. He smiled too. "I'm going to guide you to your room, now. You look tired. I think you should get some sleep."

That sounded absolutely wonderful. His body was heavy, but with Sonia's help, he found he was capable of moving to the room waiting for him, and the peace that was promised.

If he'd been capable of thinking anything outside of blissful or cozy, he would have been so delighted over the bed being even softer than the couch. He was sinking again. Into the pillow. Into the mattress. Her hand was on his head again, and he nuzzled into it. A blanket wrapped around him, bounding him in fuzziness.

"You're safe here, dear Samurai."

Safe. Cozy.

"You will have no trouble sleeping through the night."

His smile was dazed and lopsided. His eyes were half lidded and glazed over. Her hand slowly slid down his face, stopping over his eye lids and covering his world in soothing darkness.

"Sleep now, dear Samurai. You will wake only when you are rested."

Jack closed his eyes, enveloped in clouds and good feeling. A hand circled his head around and around, hypnotic in its rhythm, bringing him down and down and down.

He drifted away.

Chapter Text

Jack did not dream often, nor was he a heavy sleeper. If his journey had taught him anything, it was that he was never safe from bounty hunters, criminals, or minions of Aku. Time to rest was treasured, but rarely could he do so without at least a fraction of awareness. Sleeping with one eye open, as some would say.

Yet here he was, peacefully asleep and catching snippets of calming imagery flowing under his closed eyelids. Meditation could not compare to the heavenly comfort that swaddled his thoughts and granted him such respite. Pink and purple cotton caressed his body until he could not distinguish himself from the impossibly soft material. He was a cloud flowing through the sky. He was the babbling brook down the riverbank. Clear of thoughts. Calm.

Serene.

...

...

...

Consciousness came gradually, awareness first coming to his fingers, twitching underneath his warm blanket. His feet and legs and torso followed, once more registering the softness of his surroundings. Dazed and dizzy, his half asleep mind cooed to him the temptation of turning back over and drifting into dreamland once more.

Warrior instinct won out, and he blinked several times to discard the hold that sleepiness still had on him. What followed was not fatigue or the grogginess of a two hour nap, but a refreshing yawn and stretch as he hung his feet over the bed. He smiled a little, unable to remember when he last slept so...

He frowned, remembering how he had come to this state. The woman he met, she had...hypnotized him? The memory was fuzzy, but she had absolutely admitted to doing so. He had tried to fight it, and she still brought him down. He should have felt furious, having been taken advantage of like that, but...

Jack checked his body for wounds. For marks. Poison. Anything that could hint at nefarious intent. He found nothing.

He could not decide if he was grateful. He had been hypnotized before, and never for benevolent reasons. What little memory he had of such encounters were filled with terror and desperation, trying so hard to grasp what remained of his mind, and losing it all the same to trance. The sirens had enslaved him with little effort, and it frightened him that all his training could not compare to their power.

And then there had been Spring. Her soothing presence certainly reminded him of Sonia. She had promised him similar rewards: rest and relaxation. Just remembering her voice made him a little woozy. He didn't know what would've happened if he'd fallen asleep that day in her domain. He didn't want to think about it.

Spring had wanted him to rest. Sonia had too. Spring wanted to keep him with her forever. Sonia...what could she possibly gain from this?

He was still alive. Nothing had been done to him while he slept. And there were no chains of thorns to prevent him from stepping out the door and never returning. That thought alone gave him pause. Sonia could easily have hurt him or worse. Why hadn't she?

A memory came to him, flowing into his mind like a stream cleared of pebbles.

"I am not here to hurt you. I will not allow any harm to come to you. I simply want you...to rest."

His thoughts were interrupted by a scent that enticed his stomach. Someone was cooking sausage, and he had not eaten since the day before.

Jack got up but did not exit the room yet. He eyed the window with its sunny yellow curtains, flowing in the morning breeze. He could still leave. Experience told him that mind control was good enough reason for mistrust. He glanced at his sword, only now noticing it had been removed and placed by his bed the night before. More food for thought.

Jack took a deep breath, shook his head and gritted his teeth, hoping he would not regret whatever came next.

XXX

Sonia was waiting for him, sausage cooking over a little stove in a corner of the inn. Jack had not noticed the kitchen area last night. Perhaps its creamy colors and cozy presence had blended in too well for him to acknowledge it. Or he had been too out of it to care. Or she had already ensnared-

He uncurled the fist he had been unconsciously making. There was no reason to be hostile yet. She had not hurt him.

Seconds of silence passed, where she cooked and he stood five feet from her, still near his bedroom. He wondered if she already knew he was there and was simply waiting for him to make the first move.

He cleared his throat, the sound too loud over the softly sizzling sausage. Sonia turned her head and smiled, appearing...satisfied? "Good morning. You slept well I trust?"

Trust me, a familiar voice in Jack's mind whispered. He shook the resulting confusion away. "Yes..." The sword was still at his side. Its normally reassuring presence only brought dread that he might have to use it once more.

"You must be hungry. I made breakfast, if you'd like some." She poured the sausages from the pan to a plate, offering it to him. Before Jack could protest, his stomach growled its interest. He flushed and took the plate.

"Thank you." He mumbled.

Sonia smiled, taking a seat in the lobby. The chair she sat in next to the pink sofa appeared almost as comfortable, he mused. Taking a book from the little drawer she had opened last night, this one a different title, she opened it and scanned its pages with interest.

Not knowing if he should keep standing or take a seat himself, he decided he should at least begin eating to silence his gnawing belly. The sausage was still a little hot, but once he began eating, he could not stop. The tastiness of the food was amplified by his ravenous hunger, and it was gone in seconds. He sighed happily, forgetting he was not alone for a moment.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. I bought them on sale in the market this morning." Sonia's conversational tone brought him back to the present. "They're very easy to cook."

"R-right." Jack set his plate down on the coffee table. Sonia patiently gestured toward the sofa. Without really thinking about it, Jack sat. Once more, the sofa embraced him with its cushions.

"I'm sure you have some questions." Her eyes returned to her book, focused on the words, yet somehow still attentive to the Samurai.

Jack nodded, surprised at his own placidity. "Who are you? What do you want with me?" His initial alarm felt muffled in Sonia's presence.

She didn't look up. "I suppose I am what some would call a witch, but not by birth. I have read many books on the subject of suggestion and hypnotism, and some have wrongfully guessed I wish to ensnare any that come my way. I did tell you that business is slow for me."

He listened. She continued. "I tend to draw in warriors, but not by my reputation or rumor. We get many travelers on this road, and I have a sense for those who are weary and have seen too much." She closed the book, trading it for a cup of tea. Jasmine this time. "Most warriors are easy to persuade. Even with the willpower they've built up over decades of war, they have such a low threshold for comfort and peace. They have known only suffering. One whiff of my incense or drop of my tea, and they listen. Then they sleep. Then they move on, happy to have experienced temporary relief."

Jack said nothing, gauging her tone for the evil of a lie. He could not place anything but repressed sorrow and pity.

"Everyone needs a breather. Everyone needs rest. Warriors never seem to have that chance. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Yes, but...does that truly give you the right to manipulate their minds? My mind?" Jack almost wished he hadn't asked. He didn't want to hurt her; he just wanted the truth.

Sonia thankfully did not seem put off by the question. "I did apologize for that, but you may not remember. You were fighting, and I'm sure you've seen awful things with no good intentions from such power."

"I have."

"Once more, I'm very sorry for manipulating you. But I did get what I wanted. You ate. You drank. You relaxed. You rested." She smiled over her cup. "And you are free to go, if that is what you desire."

Jack blinked. "I am?" He glanced at the entrance, now his exit. This was not at all like Spring. She was not pushing for him to stay and forget his destiny. He had rested and felt better than he had in months. There was no trick this time. He was safe.

"Of course." Sonia went back to her book. "I did my job. I'm glad my role in your story, however small, was completed. Go in peace."

Jack's fingers drummed nervously on his gi, eyes glancing between the exit and Sonia. He did have to leave. Destiny awaited him. Aku awaited him. He had rested, and Sonia's intentions had been pure, right?

The words came to his mouth before he could regret it. "I'd like to stay a little longer."

He wondered briefly if he had truly already been captured. He considered the possibility that the words that came effortlessly to him were nothing more than the result of her brainwashing. Perhaps he'd been conditioned to desire more peace now that he'd had a taste. Sloth was not a trait he was known for, but he understood now how delectably sinful it felt to be so relaxed, forgetting all sense of duty or self; only retaining the ability to sleep and breathe.

Sonia's face lit up, and Jack wondered if he had swallowed the sun with how warm it made him feel. "Are you sure?"

He should go. He really should. He had his journey. She had still manipulated him. She had controlled him.

And he was still so, so tired.

"I do. Please allow me to stay one more night, or even one more of your services. I can still pay you-"

Sonia hushed him with a finger to his lips. "Free of charge." She murmured. "No one has ever decided to stay another night. They come, they leave, and I pray their war will end. I must admit, I would love the company."

Jack smiled, reminding himself that this was indeed temporary. He would not stay long, but he would enjoy the moment.

"You slept well through the night, and morning is close to passing us by. It is too early to offer more of my service, so would you help me pick out a book?"

Jack blinked. "I...suppose I can?"

"Excellent." She opened the little brown drawer, a selection of pocketbooks presenting themselves to him. "I chose these stories based on their lovely art. Books can sometimes be judged by their covers after all it seems." Jack's brow rose. The art of each cover ranged from unique to beautiful to nothing. Most seemed to be little children's stories with large letters and pictures of animals or aliens. The one that caught his attention was a white book with no cover, but lovely calligraphy. The title in delicate cursive read, "The art of penmanship."

Jack could feel Sonia's eyes on him. He found no discomfort in that fact. "An interesting relaxation method I found is repetition in brush strokes or writing cursive. Would you like some paper and a pencil?"

"Actually," The Samurai smiled warmly, "I would like paper and a brush. I might be a little rusty at the motions, but I did once practice kanji on a canvas." As a boy, the motion had been soothing and therapeutic. Focus was required, and it was easy to get lost in the craft.

When Jack looked up, Sonia was before him with the brush and paper he had asked for. Confused, he glanced behind her to an analog clock on the wall. Three minutes had passed since he'd spoken. He hadn't even registered her leaving for supplies. Was he still under a spell somehow? Was that why he was so calm?

"Jack? Are you alright?" Sonia's voice rang in his ears like soft little bells. Her concern touched him. He trusted her; he was safe.

"Of course." He gratefully took the crafts and set them down, eagerly beginning with a nostalgic and noble symbol: the Sign of his Kingdom. With almost no thought, he completed it in one quick stroke. "This was a good idea." He hummed, grabbing more paper and beginning more symbols. He started with quick and easy ones that required little focus, gradually growing into the more challenging ones where just the slightest wrong brush of ink could give the sign a different meaning.

"What does this symbol mean, dear Samurai?" Sonia was close beside him, once more moving without his notice. He did not startle this time. All was well.

"This means 'thank you'." He pointed to said kanji, delighted that she was interested. He did not often have the chance to chat about his culture and was nothing if not a willing teacher to those who wished to learn his kingdom's traditions.

It continued on like that for an hour, maybe more. Jack made delicate strokes over several pieces of paper; Sonia would ask him what certain symbols meant; he was all too happy to answer. At one point she disappeared into the kitchen, returning with more tea and some cookies. Jack munched on them and tried not to spill crumbs into the fluffy carpet, but Sonia didn't seem to mind. Sometimes he would look up and meet her gaze, and she would smile with such fondness and affection it made his face red. It wasn't lust he was sensing from her, like many other women he had befriended or had tried to beguile him. What he could feel from her was...maternal, perhaps. That was a good thing, he knew. She was good. He felt good.

Everything was good.

The sun eventually sank into the west, drawing a pink curtain of evening over the sky and stretching through an open window. The dim light matched the color of the lovely furniture, Jack mused with a vague grin.

He yawned.

"Ah, perfect timing." Sonia came back from the kitchen once more, smelling of cinnamon. "I think it's time I gave you one more service before bed."

"Mm?" Jack answered intelligently. He looked down, remembering where he'd been. Papers were scattered about the lobby, all sorts of different patterns and kanji painted on them. His hand was stiff, and he was exhausted in a satisfied way; for the first time since he could remember, he had not drawn his sword that day. His hand was not bleeding over the force of drawing the hilt and holding the line. He stretched the fingers, groaning happily at the pull of muscles returning to form. The rest of his body followed his stretches soon after. He was only beginning to notice how heavy he felt.

There was nothing to worry about.

"Come now, Jack, I promised you another session, didn't I?" Sonia's eyes twinkled with mirth.

Jack almost refused. Not because he didn't trust her, but because he was already so comfortable where he was. Would it be undignified if he just curled up on the carpet and slept there? He couldn't bring himself to care.

Finally, he replied. "You did promise. I am ready, I think."

"Good. Very good." Sonia continued to surprise him with the strength of her grip. How could one with such gentle hands have such a firm grasp?

He shook his head. It didn't matter anyway.

She led him to another room, hidden in the bedroom he had occupied. "Hypnosis wasn't always magic, you know." The room was dark, but not oppressive. It was comforting, like the back of his eyelids or the reflection of a black night sky in a river. "It was simply persuasion of the most comforting form. No one could be made to do anything dangerous. It was often used for sleep aid instead, or even entertainment." Her smile grew amused. "Would you believe I could have you think you were a chicken?"

Jack cringed, biting back a shout of protest. "Please do not." He said instead. He didn't need to open up that embarrassing wound.

The woman chuckled and traced his hands reassuringly. "I won't. I just thought it was interesting. Hypnosis for entertainment isn't very appealing to me anyway. Mind control is frightening and unfair. A breach of trust and a form of hurt that you can't cut through. Hypnosis was never meant to become so awful, but that is the world we live in. I'm glad I can use it the way it was intended."

She let go of his hands, setting him down on a chair with a small round table across from him. The woman sat on the opposite end, digging under the black cloth and bringing out more incense.

"I'm happy I don't have to persuade you this time. Consent is very important for true hypnosis after all." Sonia snapped her fingers, and a flame appeared in the palm of her hand. Its glow was a cool blue, and she set it upon the wick. "Jack, if it's alright with you, may I bring you deeper into trance?"

Deeper? Jack was curious. He had never felt as relaxed as he had last night. Even now he was fighting sleep. How could she possibly bring him any deeper than he'd gone?

Sensing his confusion, Sonia hummed. "I was only getting started. A bit of magic to have you rest. I can promise this will be the most wonderful feeling you have ever, or will ever, experience. I simply need you to trust me."

Trust. The word was sweet now. He could trust her. She had helped him and was still helping him. He would be safe, because Sonia was here. "I do trust you." He whispered.

"Very good." The incense was lit, the smoke giving off a lovely blue hue.

"Please breathe in." He did. "Hold it for just a moment." The scent was all too familiar by now. It enveloped every pore of his skin and slid comfortably down his throat. "Breathe out." He did.

It was quiet. He breathed deeply. Jack's eyes were fluttering already, and Sonia had barely even begun her induction. It occurred to him that he was already drifting, ready to sleep at the drop of a hat. But like a sleepy child protesting his early bed time, he found that he did not want that yet. She had promised him a wonderful experience; and while he did feel lovely all over, it was easy to tell she was not done.

He tried to focus his eyes on Sonia. She swam into his blurry vision, appearing to...admire him? He was once more reminded of a mother watching over her adorable sleeping child.

"Am I...under?" Jack slurred, his tongue a little heavy and his head even more so. His hair had been undone all morning, and he was not completely used to the lack of pressure at the top of his head. It was nice. And Sonia's answering giggle was nicer.

"You have been in a light trance these past few hours, but not as deep as I'd like to take you."

Jack had been hypnotized without his notice the whole time? The implication of danger rose to the surface, and just as quickly popped like a sudsy bubble. There was no need to worry. He was safe.

She took his left hand in her right, and his right in her left. "Will you please close your eyes for me?"

It was an easy command to obey. His eyes had been glazed over and fluttering this whole time. Closing them was a relief.

"I'm going to start massaging your hands, and while I do that, I want you to imagine any stress or trauma you might have gathering into two little orbs in your palms. These orbs of stress will gradually dissipate as I continue to run my fingers over your hands. Can you picture them? The tension easing from your shoulders? Melting from your mind?"

She was right. The tension from his shoulders and head were fading away and gathering in his hands. The earlier stiffness from his calligraphy exercises were a distant memory.

"In this safe space, these orbs do not belong here. I will massage them away, and you will forget them for a time. They don't exist here."

He smiled serenely, his head fogging over as the memories of Aku and his long, long journey left his mind with the pressing and touching of Sonia's hands over his. A calming emptiness flowed through his brain. No evil to fight. No mission to complete. He could simply...be.

"Do you believe you are hypnotized now, Jack?" He could hear the smile in her voice. His own drowsy grin widened.

"Mm-hm..." It was all he could manage. He was too comfortable to care how ineloquent he sounded.

"Can you please say that for me? You are hypnotized?"

"I...I am...hypnotized..."

Jack heard a loving coo and the giddiest of giggles. Cotton seemed to grow all around him as her soft laughter and motherly love washed over him like a dizzying wave of bliss. Her hands let go of his and they were on his cheeks, squishing them just a little bit. He moaned sleepily around them, unbothered.

"I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to hear you say that, dear Samurai. Do you know how much this means to me? How long I've wanted to give you this since the day you appeared after thousands of years afloat in time? Your stories are so full of sacrifice and suffering...I've been waiting for you for so long." She smoothed a hand over his long black hair again and again. "I live to serve all warriors. But you? I almost wish I could...keep you here..."

Jack nodded along. He could stay here if it meant always feeling this wonderful.

He heard a sharp inhale, almost not recognizing it as Sonia. "Um..." Her earlier confidence was nowhere in her voice. He frowned, a bit of worry seeping back into his thoughts. Before he could attempt to ask if she was okay, a finger touched his lips.

"You won't understand what I say until I stroke your hair. The words that flow into your mind are white noise, soothing and meaningless. Do you understand?"

Jack nodded, easing back into his peaceful headspace. He breathed in. He breathed out.

And Sonia spoke.

"I...could keep you, right? You have such a long road ahead of you. Aku is too powerful, and he has so many minions. You've been on the road for God knows how long, and I always fret over warriors and fighters...but never like this. You have suffered so much. And you will continue to suffer. Is there...no end to your quest?"

Jack was alone in head, but not lonely. He was floating without a care, allowing the words of the wonderful witch to flow in one ear and out the other, none the wiser to her quiet argument with herself. Had he the capacity for any thought at all, he would simply think of how grateful he was to have met her. He never felt so relaxed in his life. Nothing else mattered but the heavy yet weightless feeling of trance.

"No...I can't, can I? I promised, and I can't protect you forever. This is all I can do, isn't it?" Sonia watched Jack slowly list to the side, muscles completely slack. She gently balanced him back up. With a sad chuckle, she reached for his hair and began to stroke. He moaned sleepily.

"It would seem your journey will continue no matter what I desire. Though I'm happy to bask in this moment for however long you need." The stroking of his hair stopped. Jack whined a little in protest. Sonia resumed and he quieted, afloat in waves of peace once more.

"I wish I could stretch this on forever. I wish we had all the time in the world. But all we have is this moment...I will make it perfect." She murmured. Jack hummed his approval. He already felt perfect, after all.

"Please indulge me once more, dear Samurai. Are you hypnotized?"

"Hypnotized..."

"Deep in trance?"

"Deep in trance..."

"Do you feel good?"

"Yes..."

"Peaceful?"

"Mm-hm...goooood..." The slightest bit of drool began to corner in his mouth. A kind hand wiped it away with a lace cloth.

"You are so adorable." He wondered if he was reliving yesterday. Once more there was a forehead against his. Once more he was flushed with the nature of the compliment. The blood rushing to his head was dizzying, like he was drunk. She continued to stroke his hair for he didn't know how long. Her murmurings of praise and peace only brought him deeper, sometimes his face going red over how thick she was laying it on him.

There were several more exercises that passed by him in a blur of bliss and relaxation. He was told to picture the ocean and let it flow over his body, sinking him into an enchanting abyss of peace. He witnessed himself flying with the birds over fluffy clouds, losing himself in the warmth of the sun overhead. He even revisited his home kingdom, the usual pang of homesickness fogged over by the ease of Sonia's warm voice guiding him through his favorite childhood memories.

The minutes ticked into hours, and night fell with Sonia and Jack in their dark little room. Her voice did not waver despite how long she had been hypnotizing him, and he certainly had no desire to leave this lovely space.

"Jack...I hope you have enjoyed this session as much as I have. I want you to know that I'm glad you trusted me with your safety. Even when I almost didn't deserve it."

He had enjoyed it very much indeed.

"You're feeling sleepy again, aren't you?"

He yawned.

"Can you say it, please? You're a sleepy Samurai?"

Words were hard. "I...I am...a...sleepy...Sa...Sa..." His voice was husky with sleep.

He was rewarded with her giggle. "You don't have to finish. That was plenty." He smiled dazedly.

"It's bedtime Jack. Will you allow me to guide you one more time?"

His nod was clumsy, but unmistakable. He was too tired and relaxed to move on his own after all.

With Sonia's help, Jack was welcomed once more into the impossibly soft and squishy texture of his bed. A blanket folded over him. This was what heaven felt like.

"Any last requests before you drift off?"

In the haze of his subconscious, a sweet memory bubbled to the surface. Eight years old, lying in his mother's lap on a warm spring day. She spoke and sang, and the sound of her gentle voice combined with the distant melody of a flute slowly lulled him into slumber.

"Please...sing...for...me..." Jack mumbled, not even sure if he was talking to Sonia or the memory of his mother.

Then he heard it. A lullaby, more beautiful than evening crickets, quietly enveloped his senses. He didn't know it was possible to be as relaxed as he was now. He was overwhelmed with contentment. Sinking into an ocean of tranquility.

"Drift away, dear Samurai. Rest well, until the morning."

Jack's face slackened, his head turning over as he obeyed the wonderful suggestion and fell swiftly and silently into sweet dreams.