Tono then handed Brie a wrapped gift. “Get dressed and meet me out here when you are ready.”
Brie smiled at him graciously. “You didn’t have to get me a gift.”
“It was my pleasure to do so.”
Brie headed into the bedroom, admiring the box he had meticulously wrapped in white paper and jute twine. She unwrapped it with reverence and lifted out a white silk kimono with artfully placed branches of cherry blossoms.
The beauty of the simple design stirred her on a soul level.
Brie quickly undressed so she could wrap herself in the soft silk. Running to the mirror, she tied the obi around her waist the way Tono had taught her. She took a moment to stand back and admire the beautiful kimono.
The brilliant white of the silk suggested purity, and the cherry blossoms held special meaning for her. She heard Tono’s voice in her head when he’d explained: “The cherry blossom represents renewal and hope.”
Staring at herself, Brie slowly turned in front of the mirror. Although she would never be the same after what she’d endured, Brie knew she had the power to reclaim the things she held most dear.
No one could steal that from her—not even Holloway.
When Brie returned, Tono took one look at her and murmured in admiration, “Utsukushii.”
The look of respect in his eyes touched her deeply.
Brie noticed that he had changed into his black kimono while she was gone. It made him look even more distinguished and handsome. Gesturing to the mat, he commanded, “Come, toriko.”
Brie glided across the floor, inexplicably drawn to him. She knelt on the mat and waited as he turned on the soothing music of a lone flute.
“This will be a long process, toriko,” he reminded her.
Brie nodded and held her breath as he knelt behind her. The moment she felt his arms wrap around her as he pressed her body against his chest, she finally let out her breath.
“Breathe with me, toriko,” he whispered softly in her ear.
Although she had been looking forward to this, she suddenly found the restraint of his arms frightening. The memories it evoked made it difficult for her to match his breath.
Tono did not loosen his hold, forcing her to concentrate on him. “Find my breath.”
Brie swallowed back her fear and took slow, deep breaths, trying to sync her breathing with his. What had always been a natural process for her was now frustratingly difficult. Shaking her head, she finally cried out in disappointment, “I can’t.”
“You can,” he replied with quiet strength.
Brie closed her eyes. But, instead of actively trying to match his breath, she slowed down her rapid breathing. After several minutes, she felt herself naturally syncing with his.
The moment the connection was made, her muscles began to relax. It wasn’t long before she stopped resisting his tight embrace and they breathed in unison.
“Very good,” he murmured gently. “If you start to feel anxious again, I want you to match your breath to mine.”
Brie nodded.
In a soothing voice, Tono explained, “If it becomes too much at any point, call out your safeword and we will start at the beginning…as many times as you need.” She could hear the smile in his voice when he added, “We have all the time in the world, toriko.”
His words lifted her spirits.
Tono released her to pick up a bundle of rope. He showed it to her, stating, “I promise that today I will transport you to nirvana with my jute.”
“May I smell it?”
He held it up to her nose and Brie breathed in its earthy smell, savoring it.
Tono opened her kimono slightly, exposing her cleavage. “My rope’s caress is an expression of my profound love for you, toriko,” he stated. “I have no wish to harm you.”