Sunrise

The light crept from the sunrise into the cold, creaky, cabin, rays spilling from the window over the tables and chairs, and then carefully crawling toward the mat on the floor. Two figures lay asleep, sprawled out under heavy blankets. Musashi shifted slightly as the light poked at her exposed face, as if it was telling her to wake up. Eyelids fluttering, the sunrise finally won as she opened her eyes. She sat up quickly, but suddenly she gasped at the cold air that hung around the cabin. She pulled the blankets closer to her, surveying the area. Kojiro was still asleep, blankets bunched up around his legs, exposing the upper part of his back. Musashi blushed a deep red at the sudden thought that he had no clothes on. She became aware of her own naked body, and pulled the blankets tighter around her.

Last night had been one of the coldest nights in recent memory. The winds howled mercilessly, causing the small cabin to creak loudly. Kojiro went to look outside the window more than a few times, afraid that one of the enormous trees would come crashing into their lonely little cabin. Other than the weather outside, it was a quiet night in the cabin. Musashi sat nearest to the fire, a blanket drawn up to her knees, fingering her latest ribbon she had won in a contest. Nyasu had retired to bed early, claiming that he couldn't stand the cold anymore, and would try to sleep through it. Every now and then Kojiro would glance at him, curled up into a little ball under the sleeping bag. Kojiro sat down next to Musashi, and warmed his hands over the fire. They spent the rest of the evening talking in hushed whispers, so to not wake up Nyasu.

As the night progressed, the wind only became stronger. At this point Kojiro was in the next room, laying awake on the mat on the floor, trying to block out the noise. Musashi wandered into the room at one point, her sleep disturbed by the fierce vengeance of the wind. The room was drafty and they huddled together for warmth. Musashi lay in the fetal position as Kojiro lay behind her, slipping his hands around her waist. Musashi took his hands and laced her fingers through his. They lay there for awhile, Kojiro feeling Musashi's soft breathing as her shoulders moved up and down. He kissed her neck lightly and felt her shiver with anticipation. He kissed her again, and Musashi turned over to face him. She stared at him briefly before leaning in and kissing him on the lips. Kojiro kissed her back this time more passionately than before. Quickly Musashi propped herself up on her elbow and slipped her hand under his shirt. Kojiro felt his heart beat faster as she glided her hand up and down his chest. He reached forward and started unbuttoning Musashi's nightgown, and letting it softly fall off her shoulders. The cold air bit into their exposed skin quickly; therefore they slipped under the blankets, letting the soft blankets cover the tops of their heads. As their breathing labored, their thoughts grew hazy and as their bodies thrust and twisted, the cold air in the cabin seemed to slip away.

As morning dawned, and Musashi felt the cold air return. However, it was no longer as threatening, as there was no wind outside; everything was perfectly still. She let the blankets spill off her as she quietly got dressed and tiptoed out of the room so she would not wake Kojiro. He was still sound asleep. She walked past Nyasu, who was sitting up and stretching his arms over his head, and yawning. She felt a small smile on her lips as she glided into the kitchen to warm a pot of water on the stove.