A dark shadowy indefinable male presence stood holding Kyoko's shattered body, crying and clinging tightly to her as she struggled to breathe. Half lying on the cold wet cement and half drawn across his strong firm chest, she could feel his warm breath against her cheek and his heart raced wildly against her frame. In a deep raw voice, she heard him cry soulfully,

I love you. I love you. I love you, please come back. Don't go anywhere. Don't leave me. I don't want to live without you.

In the wave of her misty confusion, his broken and hoarse voice sounded familiar but combined with the tortured wrenching of his tears, she could not quite match the exact face with its owner. An aching twist seized her heart and she couldn't bear feeling his pain anymore. She just wanted to see him transition back into who he was supposed to be again…yet who was this man that was crying so sorrowfully because he was so in love with her?

Once again she heard his tender yet pained edged words, this time as she laid on the soft pillows of her hospital bed,

I love you Kyoko. I have only ever loved you, so please come back to me.

Her heart lurched in sympathy as she reached out to this obscure dark figure to touch his warm face. Yet she could not comfort him but instead felt the naked anguish of warm tears fall from him landing on her.

Engulfing her deeply into his sorrow and pained by his love for her, she was hauntingly paralyzed by him. Who was this man? Why was he telling her he loved her? Why was he crying so brokenly over her?

Kyoko was aching deeply as she tried to comfort him back, and she longed to hold him in her arms. Against the softness of her pillow, her head tossed in anguished as she fought her way back from oblivion, so that she could tell him she came back for him.

She wanted him to know that she would not leave him. That if he loved her, she would stay by his side forever, but her body felt too constrained and heavy. Although she tried to speak, she could not even move her lips.

In the middle of her futile struggle to speak, she was able to hear his strained whisper and feel his soft gentle kisses, as he huskily urged her again,

Come back to me, my love. Please come back to me.

I love you so much Kyoko, please come back to me.

Who was this man that she loved and that loved her back so much? She yearned to be with this man forever and her heart was also breaking over not being able to truly experience his love. Quiet sobs tore from her chest as she tried again to speak. She was desperate to let him know that not only did she respect and value him but she loved him as well.

These were the words that were so ingrained and stamped into her person that she found herself screaming them over and over in her head. Pulling her back into conscious as she broke free from the words, and tearing a soft whimper from deep within her as she snapped opened her eyes.

Breathing heavily and drenched in a cold sweat, Kyoko sat up from her futon and wiped away the tears that were flowing down her widened eyes. Her heart was beating loudly in her ears but she could still faintly remember the soft but painful whispers of a promised love from her haunting dream.

Her dream had been so vivid that she was desperately trying to recall the details that were like missing fragments which were somehow related to what she had been going through. Brushing away a lock of hair from her sweat drenched forehead, she frowned in concentration. What was going on? Had that really been just a dream?

The words that the dark figure spoke were of a deep aching love that he carried just for her and in her dream she had only wanted to fearlessly love him back as well. Was that really just a dream?

She had felt it so intensely in her spirit that even now while wide awake; she could almost hear the sound of his deep velvety voice and feel the pain and longing of his love. Her own heart twisted with a deep sense of desire to bring happiness and joy, as well as love to him. But who was this man?

Trying to remember, she could almost place the familiarity of his soft tone and yet, she could not see past the dark shadowy figure to completely visualize his face. Who was this man? Did he really exist or could it have been a premonition? Perhaps just someone she will meet in her future?

Rubbing the chill off her shoulders, Kyoko laid her head back down and tightly closed her eyes against the softness of her pillow. Snuggling deeper against her futon she willed herself to return to her dream but it wasn't until much later before she eventually fell back to sleep but this time it was a dreamless slumber that awaited her.

Ren walked into the elegant and formal Fuwa ryokan, and his presence was noted by several staff members that seemed to know exactly who he was. However, they were too professional to apply that knowledge, as they continued to give him his privacy even as he finished his check-in and headed towards his room.

He had flown in that morning and was eager to see Kyoko but he did not want to interrupt her sleep by calling up to her room at such an early time of day. So, he had left a note with the receptionist for her instead. It indicated his name and room number, and he hoped that as soon as she was able to, she would come to see him.

Twenty minutes into settling in his room, his hotel phone rang and a soft feminine voice was on the other side.

"Hello, is this Tsuruga-san?"

"Yes, it is," he answered.

"Sir, you had left a note for Mogami-san but I am sorry to inform you that she will no longer be staying here with us. It appears that her bags have been packed and are waiting in the lobby for her. She has mentioned to us that she was going out for a little bit but would return for them. It also appears she will then be checking out today."

"I understand." Ren affirmed as he hung up the phone, his face tightened into a mask of anxiety.

Walking hurriedly out of his quiet room Ren left the ryokan and headed towards the only place he could think of where Kyoko might be. Hoping she would be there when he reached it.

Staring at the small river, Kyoko sat alone by the water's edge as she bid goodbye to her past childhood. With maturity she gazed fondly about to savor her cherished childhood haunt. Amidst the rushing waters were wild clovers and small flowers that sprung up in bright colours that decorated the edges of the river and brought a warmth of happy emotions to her wistful heart.

Feeling in sharp contrast to her bright scenery, Kyoko's insides were in turmoil at the decisions she was struggling to make. She had originally came to Kyoto to recover from her physical wounds but had now discovered that what really needed attention was not that which was physical but it was that which was emotional.

It was an intangible but deep trauma that she really needed to recover from that combined her loss of self and left her feeling like a shadow of a person. It started when she had been abandoned by her mother who had never truly accepted or loved her then progressed to an unhealthy desire to be loved by Sho who was never really capable of loving anyone or anything except himself or his own career. But now had transitioned into a potentially hazardous sexual relationship that could compromise Ren, who was someone she truly respected and admired.

Now as she sat there at the river banks, she was pondering her own ability to find love and be free from all the past pain that had enslaved her. She laughed at her own self-discovery, after experiencing a life threatening event, her entire view point on the issue was changing.

Kyoko hiccupped as she fought to hold back the rising tide of wanting to experience the truth and possibility of such an event and she closed her eyes while she listened to the sounds of the rushing river.

As Ren neared the clearing, he caught his breath at the beautiful backdrop of the magical river and there sat the most spectacular vision of all, Kyoko, who looked like a magical nymph with her beautiful face upturned to the sun and her eyes closed. The sunlight highlighted her fire gold hair turning her into an enthrall beauty. Her profile was serene, with her long dark lashes contrasting starkly against her rosy pink cheeks.

Taking in her striking pose, he became spellbound and enchanted by her loveliness and he slowed his steps to a halt.

Snapping her head up, Kyoko's eyes opened as she focused on the silhouette of a man standing nearby who was silently watching her. A familiar image that she had once seen came back to haunt her with a faint memory of her childhood that briefly flashed across her mind before it disappeared back into the recesses of her mind.

Within seconds, Kyoko's eyes widened in surprise and she rose with a warm smile that broke across her face as she recognised that it was Ren standing in the clearing. His warm eyes greeted hers in response from across the clearing and Kyoko did not hesitate to leave her perch at the river bank. She walked gracefully over to his side with an easy and unconsciously seductive gait.

"Ren, what are you doing here?" Kyoko asked casually as she neared him, her golden warm eyes piercing deep into his openly admiring gaze. Her newfound enlightenment was creating an alluring confidence in her every motion and along with the vividness of her beautiful features, Ren was falling in danger of losing all cognitive function.

With no idea what to say to her, his mind struggled as a tight lump swelled in his throat. His heart slammed painfully against his chest with a combination of fear and dread at the purpose of which he had come to seek her out.

He wanted to draw her into his arms and dissolve himself completely into her soft body, to carry her off into the fields and bury himself in her. Yet at the same time, he knew he wasn't worthy of even speaking to her, let alone touching her. Would she accept him? Could she accept him? Drawing a long and labored breath, he decided it was time to find out.

"Good morning Kyoko, I was told you would be here," he hesitated as she came to a complete stop next to him, staring up into his clear eyes with flakes of yellow in her golden eyes that held him imprisoned in its mesmerizing depths.

Lost in the intensity of her soft gaze, Ren struggled again to stay focus on his objective for seeking her out. Standing only inches from her, he never felt so vulnerable in his life. With every muscle clenching in nervous agony, he welcomed the torture of her closeness as he came not just to atone for the violent act he had committed but to tell her once and for all, everything that had been bottled up within his heart.

Cognizant of the tension in Ren's body, Kyoko saw the bitter regret etched deeply into his handsome features and the accompanying aching plea in his compelling eyes, as he fought to find the right words to start. His hands were fisted tightly at his sides as he braced himself before he cleared his throat to begin.

"I know that you needed some time to heal through your injuries but I wanted to speak with you. I wanted to apologize for that night, and I know I don't deserve your forgiveness but if you could find it in your heart to one day forgive me…"

His voice was so raw with emotion and the shattering tenderness of his tone brought a deep ache to Kyoko's moved heart making it unbearable for her to endure. Needing to stop his torture, she reached up to his lips and slipped her small fingers over his mouth to silence his pain edged words.

"Ren, I understand why you are here but you don't have to apologize for anything. I too have something I need to say but…" Kyoko stared up at his tall form and suddenly, an intense longing invaded her soul, as her voice trailed off into a soft whisper. The feel of his warm lips under her fingers brought about a sudden urge to press her lips against them instead.

Spellbound by the magic of the moment, she struggled within herself as she fought to find the words. As she hesitated, she sensed that a similar struggle was taking place within Ren's handsome profile as well. But when his strong lips parted on a shaky breath beneath her sensitive fingers, all her intentions slipped from her mind.

Reaching up towards his lips, she replaced her fingers with her soft lips. Kyoko was surprised when she was drawn into a tight embrace as Ren's strong arms enfolded around her waist. And all thoughts of reason evaded her when he returned her kiss with lips that moved insistently causing a storm of passion to overtake her that made her gasp and cling tighter to him.

Yielding her mouth to the possessive invasion of his tongue, her heart raced frantically as his strong hands cradled her head holding her lips tighter to his while he twisted his sensual tongue in her mouth. While making her moan in submission to his urgent demand, her body leaned into his wanting to meet and forge itself into his muscular build. Together with being held in his solid arms, the force of his kiss was enough to cause a flaming burst of desire within her to build and burn out of control.

Ren did not hesitate in response to her softness pressed up against his growing hardness. His hungering arms reached down and circled her small hips holding her warm body firmly, while his tongue plunged even deeper into her mouth in responds to her open invitation. His heart was flooded with relief that she had not turn him away in fear of what he had done to her on the night of the accident.

With weeks of longing for her built up within him, he was unable to control himself as he felt her small tongue slipped into his mouth to deepen their kiss. When he finally managed to drag his mouth from hers, he was breathless in amazement and slightly annoyed with himself over how easily he was swept away by her kiss.

Unsure and afraid of hurting her Ren held himself back and pushed Kyoko's small frame slightly away from his tense body. With firm hands grasping at her shoulders, he watched as her passion filled eyes opened and her hands began to slide up the front of his large chest where they skillfully unbuttoned the collar of his shirt before slipping down to the next button and doing the same. Her hands began to run the length of his hard chest after she was done.

With a voice that ached in restraint, Ren asked, "Are you sure you can?"

Worry etched his face as he looked intensely into her golden eyes but Kyoko was not willing to stop for any reason and her conscience had already been silenced by his last kiss. Despite feeling some minor aches and pains, she had mostly recovered from the majority of her injuries. She gave a firm nod, even as her voice trembled when she softly stated, "Please do this for me Ren."

All thought of stopping left Ren as he hungrily sought her eagerly waiting lips with his own. His tongue invaded her sweet mouth as he claimed her kiss in violent tenderness. He kissed her slowly this time, welcoming the scorching desire as she melted herself into his large body. His hand curved into the hair at her nape, stroking it softly, while the other stroked up and down her spine in an endless caress.

In response, Kyoko ran her hands up the solid wall of his chest, over his shoulders, while arching her breast against his hard planes inviting his touch. It wasn't until his hands shifted; sliding towards the sides of her breast where he started to caress them that she started to quiver in bliss as he earnestly fueled her passion.

Ren was drugged by the familiar scent and soft feel of her pressed up tightly against him. Sliding one arm over her, he moved her even tighter against his harden member, as he continued to kiss her deeply. His hand cupped at her buttocks lifting her up, showing her the intensity of his desire, as he began to press himself suggestively against her.

Kyoko's body fused into his as she felt herself burn and melt against Ren's rigid member thrusting enticingly at her. A wave of urgency born from her desire overtook her, as she tried to pull his shirt off. She wanted to touch him and craved his touch in return. She needed to feel him within her, to have him release her from the scorching desire that was encapsulating her.

As if in answer to her urgent demand, Ren's hand worked instinctively unbuttoning the buttons of her blouse then slipped to the back of her bra where he unfastened the hook and discarded both items efficiently. Hastily he removed both his clothing and the rest of hers, before spreading his shirt down over the grass and slowly lowering Kyoko down.

Kneeling between her legs, he looked at the petit naked beauty lying on his shirt, and his eyes wondered over her luscious form. Where her body was once covered in bruises and lacerations, now only several small fading scars were left over from her injury and surgery remained.

Clenching his jaw tightly, Ren was overwhelmed with guilt and sorrow as he gazed down at her and whispered achingly, "I'm sorry."

His heart shattered over the scars that he felt responsible for. The bright morning sunlight highlighted every part of her body and her scars stood out bright pink against the paleness of the rest of her skin.

They would not only serve as a constant reminder of what he had made Kyoko endure because he could not control Kuon's violence but they were also scars of Ren's brutal past that would now linger permanently and mar her once perfect body.

His fingers trailed across each scar, sliding slowly over them while his handsome face constricted with torment. In a fierce pain filled groan, he whispered, "I'm so sorry that I've hurt you so much."

Watching the look of self-disgust cross Ren's face, Kyoko reached up towards his cheek and ran a tender hand over him while quietly whispering, "It's alright Ren, please don't torture yourself."

Their eyes locked as he nodded his head before closing his eyes briefly in regret. His hands spread across her hips as he lowered his head to her body, his warm lips gently began kissing each scar as if trying to heal it, his tongue trailing along their edges and lips nibbling at them tenderly.

Kyoko sucked in a deep breath when a surge of heat burned through her as Ren's soft kisses and sensual tongue flickered over her passion inflamed skin. The open meadow and soft breeze blowing over their nakedness was like a magical backdrop to the formidable lure of seduction taking place.

As the birds sang and the rivers flowed in the background, Kyoko drew his body down towards her. She kissed him ardently as she wanted to remove the pain that she knew he was feeling.

Feeling his body release its tension, Ren finally relaxed himself and rested his large physique over her soft form. He pulled her slender legs apart as he settled himself, while the tall grass swayed around them, blown by the gentle breeze.

A soft groan escaped Kyoko's throat as she felt his large hands rest over her breast. His fingers began closing over her sensitive nipples drawing them into a tight bulb before his thumbs began to circle the tightened peaks. The loving touch of his skilled hands caressing her full breast made her arch and swell into his palm.

Breaking from the kiss, Ren lowered his head to her breast where he took her small nipple into his mouth teasing it with his lips before suckling on it. A soft whimper left Kyoko as his warm tongue circled the hard peak before his lips nibbled at it, causing her to jerk in response against his sensual lips, before he moved on to its twin.

His tongue followed the curvature of her nipple, soaking it wet before he drew it into his hungry mouth and began to suckle at its small peak. The simple gesture caused his hair to fall over her breast and in the soft warm breeze, it felt like a silk caress over her flushed and sensitive skin.

His hands lowered, gliding down her midriff to her waist, then on to her slender thighs where they skimmed over the surface before reaching behind her to cup her round bottom and hold her up against his taunt form.

His hands continued to possessively mold her soft form to him before he slid himself down her whimpering form and sought to position himself carefully between her shapely legs. Lowering his head towards the apex of her thighs, his tongue began to probe amidst the warm folds of her entrance.

He tasted her sweetness as he sought entrance into her warm channel and inserted his tongue deeply in. Holding her quivering hips in his hands, he held her firmly while he continued to twist and plunge his tongue deeply within her. Tenderly and skillfully he explored and pleasured her, causing Kyoko to cry out in delight.

Clutching his head to her, Kyoko's body became feverish with ardor. She was on the edge of combustion when he lifted himself from her wet warmth and repositioned his rigid shaft there instead. It's pink tip pressed boldly against her opening before he began to rub it along the wet folds of her entrance, teasing her and causing her jerk herself up against it.

A cry of startled pleasure escaped her when she felt him begin to enter her wet cavity. Inch by inch he slowly filled her and she welcomed his hot invasion, tightly sheathing him as she lifted her hips and locked her knees around his waist.

Ren was quickly losing all sense of control, as his longing for her had left him feeling vulnerable like an overly eager teenager. As he tried to slowly insert himself into her tight walls, he felt her expanding to encase him and he shuddered at the exquisite feel of her silken warmth against his ridged member.

Lost to the heated sensation of her, he could no longer hold himself back. He wrapped his arms tightly around her, as he finally drove his full length into her and felt her tighten around him spasmodically. A moan of pleasure that sprang from her was all the encouragement he needed before he began to withdraw from her only to plug deeper each time.

Kyoko clung tightly to Ren as she felt his warm hardness sink deeply into her. In and out he moved above her and with each demanding thrust, he buried even more of himself within her, driving her wild with his rhythmic movements. She brought her hips up to meet each of his heavy thrust and caused him to quicken his driving insistent strokes.

An aching need began to rise within her at their joined bodies and with each of his vigorous thrust; it grew larger and larger until a pulse of pure pleasure exploded within her. Raking and clamping tightly against him, she moaned in ecstasy at her release, only to feel Ren drive even more forcibly into her as he too shook convulsively again and again while he poured his hot liquid into her.

All thoughts were forgotten as Ren wrapped his arms gently around Kyoko and pulled her with him as he turned them onto their sides. Still intimately linked to her, he watched as she snuggled into his chest and quietly began to fall asleep in his arms under the warm sun.

Ren marveled at the primitive lust that she was able to draw from him in the midst of the secluded landscape. Here beside the rushing waters of the river, in this very place barely over a decade ago, he remembered how special she was and was amazed at how much more she had blossomed in uniqueness since then.

A smile tugged at his lips as he fell asleep next to her, as the twisted lump of nervous energy in his heart began to melt. In the open wilderness of nature, Ren dreamt about the past childhood they both shared and about the future he wanted to share with her, if she would have him.

A/N: Hi everyone, hope you liked this so far. I must admit, I was feeling guilty writing the last few chapters but am glad of the support many of you have given to my story through your reviews! I am always happy to hear from you, so please continue to R & R!