Ascension of the Spirit – A Collection of Vignettes

I've decided to write a few vignettes. I'm not sure of how many there will be total, but I know of at least two more to be added within the next few weeks as they're written. All will center around Kyo and/or Arisa Uotani. They will probably be pretty short…but that's what a vignette is, after all.

Stay tuned:)

xxxx

Vignette One: With You

Summary: I don't really know how it happened…how the curse was obliterated. But somehow it was. And now I'm lying on the sofa in my apartment with a young woman in my arms.

A/N: This little piece is set quite in the future. It's told through Kyo's PoV, but I purposely left the woman somewhat ambiguous. I know who she is in my mind, but I'm going to let all you readers have your own take. ;)

Very short and very fluffy. Enjoy.

xxxxx

I don't really know how it happened…how the curse was obliterated. But somehow it was. And now I'm lying on the sofa in my apartment with a young woman in my arms. It's nice, being able to feel her tucked against my chest. I notice every little movement she makes. Like now. Now she's stirring, coming out of her light sleep.

She sighs, looking around for a moment before tilting her head to glance at me. "The sun when down," she murmurs.

"A few hours ago, actually."

She smiles that bright smile of hers and pulls her legs closer to her body. "I don't want to move."

"Then don't." I tighten my arms around her waist and rest my cheek against her blonde hair. I feel her muscles relax again as she leans back against me.

"I want to stay forever here with you."

"Is that from a song?" I ask, poking her stomach gently.

She chuckles. "Maybe. What, don't you think I can say something so cheesy myself?"

"Not you, no."

"True…" She laughs again. "You know, I think you need to put a picture on that wall."

As she points to the wall directly across from her, I feel an odd tug at my heart. "I'll let you decorate."

"Oh, you shouldn't let me do that. I don't have any sense of style when it comes to wall space."

"More than I do, I bet."

Silence. A comfortable one. It's so wonderful to be able to lie here with her like this. I know she thinks so, too.

"Are we safe here?" she asks suddenly.

"What do you mean?" I press my nose into her hair now, taking in its flowery scent.

"From your family…from people who would hurt us."

I'm silent for a moment, thinking of the proper thing to say. She always has been worried about safety. Maybe it has something to do with her more violent past. I've never asked, instead just taking it as it is. "I'd never let anyone hurt you, you know."

"I know." She reaches up to press her palm against my cheek. "And I'd never let anyone hurt you."

"I'm glad we can have each other's backs."

"Me too. That in and of itself makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside." I can hear the smile in her voice and can't help but laugh at her.

"I didn't know you could feel 'all warm and fuzzy,'" I say, playing along.

"Oh sure. I feel warm and fuzzy all the time now." She looks up at me and even in the darkness of the room I can see her eyes glinting mischievously. Without warning, she lifts herself out of my arms and turns over so that her chest is pressed against mine, pressing her legs to either side of my hips (which was somewhat difficult with the back of the couch blocking her on one side). "I love you," she whispers before leaning down to kiss me.

Her kisses always take me by surprise. Even in the length of time we've been together, I can never get enough of her taste, the feeling of her lips against mine. I know from this simple fact that we were meant to be together. Sappy, yes. But we are soul mates, I'm sure of it. All that joking and fighting…who would have guessed? I'm glad I decided to take the challenge and go further. Or maybe that was her? Whoever it was made the right choice.

Her lips leave my mouth and press a short trail down my neck before she pulls away. "What are you thinking about, Kyon-Kyon?"

I grin and brush some of that golden hair behind her ear. "You. How we acted when we were younger."

"We fought. Was else was there than that?" She settles her arms around my neck and stays close, her nose brushing against mine. "The past is in the past. Let it stay there."

"As you wish." I lift a hand from her back and put it behind her neck to draw her down for another kiss. She obliges me before she pulls back again. "You okay?"

She shrugs and shakes her head to dismiss my concern. "I'm just a bit chilly, is all."

"Do you want me to get you a blanket, or your jacket?"

She looks at me with those bright eyes, suddenly brimming with tears I know she'll never let fall. "No…I'm happy right here. Just hold me, okay?"

"You're losing that tough-girl attitude and getting all soft on me!" I cried jokingly.

"I am not!" she shot back, twisting in my arms again so her back was against me. "I'm just taking pleasure from the fact that you finally can hold me. I could still beat you to a bloody pulp if I wanted to."

"Oh, please. We both know that I'd win." I pull her close against me. Of course, we'd never really brawled like that before. We had such different fighting styles…me with my martial arts, her with her 'do-whatever-it-takes' ways. There's no telling who would beat who. We're probably pretty evenly matched when it really comes down to it.

"Sure you would…sure you would." Her voice is quiet now as she turns her head to press her face against my neck. "Have you heard from any of them?"

"Hmm?" It takes me a second to realize what she's talking about. "My family? No, not really. Why do you ask?"

She shrugs. "I dunno. Just curious, I guess."

"If I do hear from anyone, you'll be the first to know." I kissed the top of her head.

After a brief silence, she murmurs, "You smell good." Her breath tickles my skin.

"What do I smell like?" I ask, holding back a shiver of pleasure.

"Like yourself. It's nice."

I smile and tighten my hold on her even more. Her body fits perfectly against mine. Simply amazing, this feeling.

"I love you."

End vignette one.