Disclaimer and Standard Author's notes: Applied in Prologue. Also there will be some original characters. For now on, the original standard characters include Seiji, Sasaki, Ryu, Shiro and the main antagonist by the name of Toshie and the Sasori bandits. And we introduce little Chiriko, another original character :)
A warning in this chapter: Some minor SenKosh and RuHana lime near the end but hopefully still adhering to the rating ;)
Additional Author's notes (27/11/2013): This is it! The last chapter of the story! Gosh it has been a long journey to rewrite and edit this beloved creation into a better read than before! I have some more notes at the end of this chapter. So please read on to the end, my dears!
Hanamichi And The Kitsune
Chapter Ten: Love Conquers All
Sakuragi clenched his eyes shut, imagining in his head that his beloved Kitsune...his Kaede was alive and smiling at him as his cries died down to whimpers and sobs. He never wanted it to happen this way. He didn't want his Kitsune to die. He really did love the fox-like figure. Now he would never see those warm soulful sapphires that were his eyes...that gentle smile...and the way he hugged him with those large strong arms pushing him against the equally large sturdy chest. The redheaded man clutched the silk in his grasp tighter when he felt the body shifting into the air...
Wait a minute!
Shifting?!
Sakuragi dared to open his sore tear-filled eyes and found himself surrounded by shimmering lights in all colours of a rainbow. He gasped in surprise when he felt the dead body under him starting to levitate from the ground. He pulled back and breathed in shock, amazed by the magical happenings before him. Hearing the redhead's gasp, Sendoh and the others ceased their mourning and wore identical expressions of shocked awe at the spectacle.
'Kitsune...Kaede...' Sakuragi drew away and shakily stood up, leaning against the balcony railing for support, 'What's going on?'
The Kitsune was lifted several feet in the air. A white mist enveloped the body and pillars of light pierced through each body part. They were morphing...and they looked human! The paws were becoming less furry and the stumpy digits slowly materialized into long, slender fingers. The hind legs straightened to strong calves and thighs with his toes growing in size. The body shrunk slightly, showing pale well built muscles and the fur vaporized into thin sir. The fox-like features disappeared and a human face was transformed in its place. Sakuragi watched with trepidation as the body descended, landing onto the stony ground softly.
There was a young man in front of him...his Kitsune was nowhere to be seen. The redhead was about to step forward to have a closer look but drew back in fear when the figure started moving and he moaned as he woke up. The transformed being slowly steadied himself as he stood up. He gazed at his hands and arms in what appeared to be awe before he slowly turned to face Sakuragi.
Sakuragi felt his breath catch in his chest and blushed at the sight before him. The other man had pale skin like snow yet his handsome features was filled with warmth. He had long fine hair black as the midnight sky without stars and his eyes were as blue as deep depths of the ocean framed with delicate fluttering eyelashes. He had a similar build and height to the redhead and he looked...he looked so godly...and ethereally beautiful. Sakuragi shrunk back when the pale man slowly approached him until he trapped him against the balcony.
"Who are you? Where's my Kitsune?"
The pale man smiled gently at him as he reached out for the redhead's hand. He grasped the tanned hand in his and cupped his shoulder in his other hand all the while intently gazing at the man he loved.
"Hana...Hana-kun...it's me..." the young man murmured as he kissed the redhead's right hand, the press of his lips soothing yet foreign to him, "I'm your Kitsune...I'm your Kaede...this is how I look like before the spell changed me into a beast...please believe me, my Hanamichi...my Hana-kun..."
Sakuragi looked doubtfully at the beautiful yet handsome man holding him close in his embrace. How could he be his Kitsune he loved so much? The redhead reached out a shaky left hand and trailed his fingers through the soft locks of his raven black hair. The sensation felt familiar...the dark strands felt soft just like the Kitsune's fur. Then he looked deep into the young man's eyes...upon closer inspection, they were the same deep blue eyes as he remembered them to be...just as they were as the Kitsune's and as was the torn painting he had seen inside the room. Sakuragi gasped softly in blissful realisation and he couldn't back his overwhelming happiness as he felt the broken pieces of his heart healed until it was whole. It really was his Kitsune...he had come back alive!
"Kaede..." Sakuragi murmured his name reverently, causing the other man's smile to soften with deep love. The redhead felt happy tears slide down his cheeks, his dark eyes shimmering like starlight, "It is you..."
Rukawa ran the back of his fingers tenderly and softly over Sakuragi's cheeks, mindful of the fine scratches marring the golden skin. He pulled the redheaded young man close, moving his arms so that they were secured around his waist. Sakuragi smiled shyly up at Rukawa as he shifted in the intimate embrace, placing his hands against his beloved's chest...he felt the other man's heart beating steadily underneath his palm...Kaede was alive...the man he loved was alive. They stared at each other...sapphire blue boring into deep coffee brown. Rukawa gently pressed his lips against his redhead's cold forehead, trailing sweet kisses onto his cheeks before bringing Sakuragi for a long awaited kiss.
Their lips chastely brushed against each other, causing a deep warmth to curl in their stomachs before spreading throughout their bodies. Wanting to deepen the kiss, Rukawa tilted his head and pressed his redheaded love closer to him, causing Sakuragi to wrap his arms around the pale swan-like neck. They closed their eyes, feeling the deep love and passion coursing fiercely through their veins.
A magical wind circled them and the heavy rain slowed down to a light drizzle. The dark clouds slowly dissipated and a pillar of sunlight broke through, spreading the golden rays across the land. The wind broke free from the couple and swirled all over and around the castle, magically restoring the gigantic building back into its beautiful, original state. The walls turned white and cream, the rooftops gleaned in the sunlight, the gargoyle statues transformed into those of heavenly angels and the pillars were lined with flowering vines. The mighty withered sakura tree came to life again and the pink flowers blossomed on the bare branches in abundant clumps, bringing more beauty and wonderful fragrance in the vicinity as the stray petals sprinkled them like pink snow.
Sendoh and his other companions snapped out of their stupor, momentarily mesmerized by the blossoming sakura tree. Then they realized that their restored surroundings and the sun-filled sky indicated that the spell was indeed broken. Consequently they broke into a cheer and euphoric happiness filled the castle. Rukawa smiled tenderly at his beloved redhead in his arms when they broke the loving kiss. Sendoh looked first to find his master and friend back in his human form and embracing Sakuragi with love in his formerly cold eyes. Sendoh couldn't help blinking tears of happiness to see the real Rukawa again.
"Kaede-kun..." Sendoh called out to the dark-haired man who turned to his direction, "It's...it's good to see you again..."
"Akira...my friend...I can't believe it...we made it...we actually made it...the spell is broken," Rukawa gazed at the spiky-haired man before lowering his eyes in shame, "Can you ever forgive me for all that I've done to you?"
Sendoh shook his head with a wry smile on his face and tilted his master's head up, "There'a nothing to forgive, Kaede-kun...you were lost in the darkness. I am glad...so glad you've finally returned to us!"
The two friends pulled each other in a close brotherly embrace. Rukawa progressively reacquainted himself with his other companions and the other servants, giving sincere apologies to them for the harsh way he had treated them during these past years. Seeing Rukawa back to normal and his changed kind demeanor caused the remaining castle residents to dispel residual resentment towards him. They were filled with relief and rejoicing that the dreaded spell was finally broken. Sakuragi smiled at the touching scene, feeling happy for his beloved's joy. Then the redhead found himself being pulled forward back into Rukawa's arms.
"Hana-kun...you saved me and all of my friends from the darkness..." Rukawa held both Sakuragi's hands and kissed them reverently, "I've learned to open my heart and to love again...and it is all because of you. Now that I have you here with me, I never want to lose you again. I love you so much. What do you say? Will you mine forever, Hanamichi?"
Sakuragi cupped his cheek and kissed it shyly, "Yes, Kaede...I want to be yours forever. With all my heart, I love you too..."
The crowd around them cheered even more loudly upon Sakuragi's reply...this moment couldn't be more perfect for the new couple...
"Papa! Papa!"
A sweet joyful voice broke the tender moment between the two men. The couple and the rest of the crowd turned to the source and found a crying Youhei embracing an equally crying Chiriko in his arms. The young father laughed joyfully with tears in his eyes...
"Chiri-chan! Thank goodness! Thank goodness you're home!" he pulled back to kiss his daughter's forehead and all over her face, "Don't you dare pull a stunt like that again, young lady! I feared the worst when they told me you disappeared!"
"I promised myself that I would bring Hana-nichan back and I did, Papa. Hana-nichan's friends took good care of me, especially Haruko-nechan. She's been very good to me, Papa."
"Haruko?" Youhei questioned.
The child nodded enthusiastically with a smile on her face, "Uh huh! She's really pretty and she's great at cooking. Can she be my mama?"
The castle residents chuckled upon the surprised goldfish expression Youhei was wearing on his face.
"Chiri-chan!"
The little girl turned to see Sakuragi waving at her...she found herself running up to him. He was alive and well! Haruko-nechan was right!
"Hana-nichan!" Chiriko smiled with intense joy as she broke away from her father and ran full force towards Sakuragi. She immediately jumped into the redhead's strong arms that lifted her up and carried her securely, "Hana-nichan! You're okay! You're alive!"
"Chiri-chan..." Sakuragi hugged the girl back as tightly as he could with a beam on his happy face, "I'm glad you're all right."
"Kaede-nichan," Rukawa smiled at her when she turned to look at him. He reached out to stroke her chubby cheek, making her blush slightly, "You look soooo handsome. Hana-nichan must really like you a lot."
"He does, Chiri-chan. He does like me a lot," Rukawa winked at Sakuragi who turned away shyly at the attention.
"Sakuragi!"
The redhead gasped upon hearing that loud voice...he turned to find Akagi limping slightly while being supported by Anzai and Haruko with the rest of the group present behind the trio. All of their faces were filled with relief. The castle residents respectfully gave them space for them on the balcony.
"Gori! Haruko-san! Anzai-sensei! Everybody!" Sakuragi shouted joyfully upon seeing his friends, "How did you get here?!"
"Onichan and Chiriko-chan led us here, Sakuragi-kun," Haruko explained, "We're all glad to see you safe and sound, Sakuragi-kun."
"Haruko-nechan!" Chiriko wriggled away from Sakuragi and ran to her, hugging her around the waist.
The young woman smiled at the child and hugged her back. They were too caught up in their light chatter to notice Youhei glancing at Haruko with an interested look in his eyes, a light blush dusting his cheeks. Meanwhile Sakuragi noticed Rukawa's face turn slightly tense upon seeing Akagi.
"Kaede? Is something the matter?" Sakuragi asked with concern.
"Give me a few minutes, Hana-kun. There's something I must do to atone my mistakes..."
Sakuragi nodded in understanding and released his beloved. Rukawa approached Akagi and bowed politely before him, surprising the older man by his action.
"What? What was that for, young one?" Akagi asked curiously.
"It's to say...I'm sorry, Akagi-san. I know that this will be hard to believe but I was the Kitsune who imprisoned you when you were sheltering from the storm that night...it was out of line for me to inflict such pain and harm on you when you were at your lowest..."
Akagi was about to question the younger man what he meant until he looked into his eyes as he straightened himself up. He gasped in mild shock. Those were same piercing blue eyes staring at him when the beast towered over him...it made sense to him now...
"I know what I've done to you in the past can't be erased...but I wish to make amends...please, Akagi-san...I, Rukawa Kaede, hope that what I said conveys my sincerest apologies to you..."
Akagi blinked his eyes in amazement...then his face broke in a calm and serene expression. He placed his hand on Rukawa's shoulder and grasped it heartily, "I accept your apology, Rukawa...let us start over."
"Thank you, Akagi-san. Your words of thanks mean a lot to me. But tell me, surely there is some way I can start to make those amends I promised?" Rukawa requested, turning to his new guests.
Akagi turned to Anzai who nodded at him encouragingly before speaking to Rukawa, "Our dojo in the forest had been burned down by one of our own who betrayed us and the Sasori bandits. We no longer have a place to stay and we have nowhere else to go. Will you permit us to stay with you until we can figure out where to go from here?"
"That's simply out of the question, Akagi-san," Sakuragi gasped at the reply and was about to retort when Rukawa continued to speak, "I insist that all of you are welcome to live here with us."
"What?!" Mitsui exclaimed incredulously, "Surely you must be joking!"
"It is no joke. Come and live with us. The castle has plenty of room to accommodate you all and I am more than happy to allow you all to use my private dojo and my stock of weaponry to facilitate your training sessions. I will ensure that any necessary expansions will be done to make you feel at home with us," reasured Rukawa.
"Ho ho ho ho...you are a remarkably generous soul, Rukawa-kun. Your hospitality knows no bounds," Anzai chuckled deeply and bowed to Rukawa with a soft smile, "We are most grateful for what you have offered us. But surely there must be something you want in return?"
"You must be Anzai-sensei. I have heard a lot about you," Rukawa bowed back, his dark blue eyes turning serious, "There is only one thing I ask of you, sensei."
"Oh? What will it be, Rukawa-kun?" Anzai inquired curiously.
Rukawa turned to Sakuragi and held out a hand for the redheaded man to take. Sakuragi took the offered hand and allowed his beloved to pull him into his arms. The pale man gently kissed his temple and clasped his fingers with his.
"Your consent and blessings to allow me to marry your student, Sakuragi Hanamichi...I love him dearly. It is because of him that I was lifted from the darkness and learn to feel with my heart," Rukawa said with conviction in his voice, "I will do all I can to meet your expectations and promise you fervently that I would never hurt him in any way."
"By the Gods...I never imagined that the idiot would actually find somebody..." Ryota shook his head with an incredulous grin as he cuddled Ayako close to him. The woman chuckled and knuckled her boyfriend's shoulder.
Anzai's smile blossomed and he nodded, "I trust your words, Rukawa-kun. The both of you have my blessings and consent. Sakuragi-kun, I do hope that you'll still be training with us?"
"Of course, sensei! I have a lot of catching up to do!" Sakuragi responded jovially.
"Now that it's settled, I'd say that we should take this time to plan for a big wedding!" Sendoh announced and observed a pair of bluebirds flying nearby, twittering their sweet song, "Spring is here..."
"Should we get started, Akira?" Koshino asked with a twinkle in his eye.
Sendoh returned the look with a beaming grin in return, "You are no time-waster, my love..."
Everyone began murmuring with excitement and agreement. Realizing what was in store for them, Sakuragi blushed and buried his face against Rukawa's neck.
"What did we just do, Kaede? What will everybody else outside the castle say about us..." Sakuragi mumbled with embarrassment...and a tinge of fear.
Rukawa detected the insecurity in his fiancé's voice and tilted his chin to gaze at him, "I don't care what they would say about us, Hana-kun. As long as I have you and your love, I can endure anything and everything that comes our way. Please believe me and in our love, my Hanamichi..."
Sakuragi found himself melting under the pleading gaze of the man he loved. He chastised himself for ever thinking to doubt Rukawa's love and devotion to him. He cupped the hand tilting his chin and pressed it against his cheek.
"I believe you, Kaede...and I believe in our love. Forgive me?"
Rukawa smiled at Sakuragi tenderly and gently kissed his redhead's forehead.
The weeks that followed the miraculous incident were very busy for both parties within the castle.
Koshino, being the responsible and hardworking man he was, organized the wedding preparations with Rukawa and the rest of the castle residents while Sendoh helped their new guests settle into their new home. They helped reconstruct the east and west wings into smaller bedrooms where they would retire for the night. During the process, great friendships and promising romance blossomed between the two groups, bringing further harmony in the castle. On the side, Sakuragi returned to his training routine with his friends while Rukawa, when not working with Koshino on the wedding preparations, reacquainted himself with the duties he used to do within the castle and got himself involved in a personal project: to build shared private quarters for himself and his beloved redhead, which would be located nearer to the gardens where they could be nearer to the sakura tree...
The lovers would then reunite to spend the last hours of each day together after their routines. All the while, the redhead was still coming to terms on the incredible transformation, hardly believing that this ethereally handsome and beautiful man was really his Kitsune. Whereas Rukawa was on cloud nine as he held his redheaded love...the man who opened his heart and saved him from a magic spell...a spell that imprisoned him yet made him change for the better.
Before long, the castle was ready for the big event. The entire venue was decorated to the full in magnificent splendor. The feast was promised to be deliciously unforgettable. The rice was grown and harvested. The guest list was finalized. Finally, the kimonos for the grooms were tailored down to the last detail. The wedding day was set in early Spring and the sakura trees wherein full bloom...
It was a glorious fine day when the castle opened its gates to invite the guests in for the wedding The outsiders were curious of the person who captured Rukawa Kaede's once icy heart and were marveled at the sight of the young man decked in a most luxurious ocean blue kimono patterned in cranes and the gentle smile curling on his thin lips as he waited at the altar with Anzai who agreed to oversee the ceremony. When Sakuragi made his appearance and joined his husband-to-be's side all decked out in his beige kimono crested with sakura blossoms to match his namesake, Rukawa's smile brightened as he took the golden hand in his. The reaction of their joined hands and the way the once stony sapphire eyes gleamed at the redhead with love was instantaneous...the entire hall was filled with murmurs and their eyes widened in shock. Many of the girls Rukawa spurned in the past fainted in shock and cried in dismay. While there were a few that expressed extreme outrage at their union and left in a huff, the majority of the guests were more understanding and supportive. They expressed it by applauding loudly when Anzai finally pronounced them to be married.
"I told you everything would be okay, Hana-kun," Rukawa smiled at his new husband as they shared their first dance together. He clasped Sakuragi's left hand whose ring finger was now graced with a simple but beautifully glimmering gold band and kissed it, "You're finally mine..."
Sakuragi chuckled at the possessiveness in his husband's tone, his brown eyes sparkling with pride at the identical gold band circling his pale left ring finger, "Yours, Kaede...I'm yours as you're mine..."
All in all, the wedding progressed without much incident although it took a long while to calm the distressed women and revived those that fainted. The banquet and the dances that followed after continued late into the night until the guests were escorted to the gates where the well wishes were passed to the newly wed couple.
While Rukawa and Sakuragi finally retired to their new private quarters to spend their wedding night together, the castle residents and their new housemates finally settled down from the festivities. Some of them helped to clean up where they could. Others found the time to get better acquainted with each other whether in friendship or romance. Finally, there were a few that were in deep contemplation of the events that occurred...
Youhei loved being in the gardens at this time of the year. But even more so since the spell was broken...finally...the flowers simply looked more bountiful and wondrous than ever. However he found his thoughts straying to the tinkling laughs and mischievous giggles coming from nearby. He smiled fondly upon finding the sources of the laughter.
Haruko was busy playing tag with Chiriko, both still dressed in their lovely kimonos. Then they collapsed together on the grass and they looked at the flowers together. Youhei felt his heartbeat quicken as he continued watching his daughter and the young woman. It had shocked him when Chiriko had asked whether Haruko could become her new mother. He hasn't given much thought about marriage but he did know that ever since their eyes met on that day the spell was broken...he felt some really strong feelings stirring in his heart for her...and he was quite certain that she felt the same way since her pale pretty face would blush whenever she saw him. Haruko was a indeed sweet character as his daughter described her...kind...gentle...and loving.
Perhaps...these feelings for Haruko would go stronger over time...and if everything went well...then Chiriko could finally have a complete family.
"Mito-kun?"
Youhei snapped out of his reminiscing when Haruko's soft voice called out to him. He chuckled upon seeing Chiriko looking drowsy and leaning against Haruko who was supporting her. The child snuggled closer to the young woman as she picked her up and held her in his arms. Youhei joined them and held out his arms to Haruko.
"Here, let me, Haruko-chan..."
Haruko carefully transferred the near sleepy girl into the man's strong arms. Chiriko blearily peeked her eyes open at the slight jostle and found herself being carried by her father.
"Papa? Where..."
"I'm right here, Chiri-chan..." Haruko soothed as she brushed the little girl's silky hair.
Chiriko hummed in satisfaction before she closed her eyes and fell asleep. Youhei cradled his daughter close and kissed her head.
"You're a very affectionate father, Mito-kun," Haruko commented, fondness present in her voice.
"Thank you, Haruko-chan...Chiriko means a lot to me," he replied, nodding at the young woman, "I think it's high time that she's gone to bed."
"I'll accompany you, Mito-kun," Haruko offered and walked beside Youhei.
"I don't suppose that you've seen the entire castle, Haruko-chan?"
Haruko shook her head, "No, we've been so busy adjusting to our new lives so we haven't actually had time to explore the entire castle...don't get me wrong, it's been wonderful getting to know new friends...and...of course, you, Mito-kun..."
"Then if you like, after we place Chiri-chan in bed, I can show you some of my favourite spots in and around the castle for a starter..." Youhei offered shyly, his eyes looking soft in the starlight.
The young woman nodded back with a smile, "Yes...yes, I'd like that, Mito-kun..."
Youhei held out a hand to Haruko who eagerly accepted it...together they walked back inside the castle, sweet warmth blossoming in their hearts.
"Really Seiji-san, you really didn't have to do so much work in the kitchen with us," Fujima looked with surprise to see the young man still washing and rinsing the dirty dishes, cutlery and tea cups in the large sink., "You've already done so much helping to coordinate the wedding banquet. Please...you should be resting."
Seiji shook his head and smiled at Fujima, "Please Fujima-san, it's the least I can do for your master to let us live with you all. It is fair that I help you from the start and finish of the task at hand."
"But, Seiji-san-"
"Ah...Kenji-san. If Seiji-san wants to help, he can help...and besides it's always great to have extra help around and we can get things done quicker," Uozumi grinned as he stored the bulky pots and pans back to their original storage cupboards, "How are you coming along with those dirty dishes?"
"Just this lot in the sink and it's all done, Uozumi-san."
"Just leave them when you're done, Seiji-san. The sun comes in strongly in the kitchen so they can help dry them. Kenji-san?"
"The floors are clean and the tables are wiped down, Uozumi-san. I just need to make sure the leftovers are still good for tomorrow."
"Great! Say you two...after we're done, let's share some plum sake together under the moon," Uozumi went to a cupboard and took out the gourd and three delicate sake cups.
"Uozumi-san..." Fujima shook his head with a wry grin, "What's the special occasion? We just celebrated Rukawa-san and Sakuragi-san's matrimonial union."
"Kenji-san...it's a celebratory drink for a job well done for today and..." Uozumi turned to Seiji who placed the last dish onto the drying rack, "To toast to a new friendship."
Seiji felt his heart catch with surprise at the large man's words, "Friendship?"
"Of course! We are all family and friends here, Seiji-san. We look forward to the days having you with us."
Seiji felt his heart touched by the sincerity of his two new companions. He walked to the table and sat down on the chair offered to him. Uozumi was carefully pouring the sake in the three cups while Fujima retrieved a small plate of leftover mochi from the wedding banquet.
"Uozumi-san...Fujima-san..." Seiji smiled at the two men and raised his sake cup to them, "To a new friendship."
Uozumi and Fujima smiled back at their new friend and clinked their sake cups together, their lively chatter and warm laughter echoing in the kitchen.
Kogure sat down on the large bed, still mesmerized by all that had happened. Even though that he and the rest of the group had settled in for several weeks, everything was still was new to him...
"Nobu-kun?" Kogure's bespectacled eyes lit up upon seeing his lover joining him and kissed the scarred man's cheek upon greeting, "I thought I might find you here."
"Where're the others, Hisashi-kun?"
"Anzai-sensei and Akagi are still training in the dojo. Miyagi and Ayako have retired for the night and Haruko's still with that castle watchman and his daughter. They're fine, Nobu-kun," it was then he noticed that there was a soft smile on his lover's face, "Something on your mind?"
"So many changes have happened, Hisashi-kun..." Kogure clasped Mitsui's arms around him and nuzzled against his chest, "But I'm so glad that there are certain things that haven't changed since our arrival in this castle..."
Mitsui brought his lover close and buried his nose in the soft brown hair and kissed his forehead, "We still have each other, Nobu-kun...and once again...thank you for saving me back there...if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here standing..."
Kogure smiled and hugged back, feeling blessed that his beloved Mitsui was still alive beside him.
"I love you, Hisashi-kun..."
Mitsui smiled at the confession and cupped the other man's cheek, his eyes shining with love.
"And I love you, Kiminobu."
Sendoh spooned a panting Koshino close to his body and laced their fingers together, feeling the strong contours of his lover's backside against his front. He smirked at the dusky blush now covering Koshino's face and shoulders...he looked so delectable. The taller man pressed feathery kisses on the pale shoulder, trailing up the slender neck and then up his temple. Then he carefully flipped the shorter man onto his back and kissed all over his bare chest. He smirked that when Koshino arched into his touches and when he eventually pulled away, his breath caught in his throat upon seeing the smile on his beloved's face...it was so beautiful...it had been so long he had last seen it...
"Akira...please...don't stall...what are you looking at?" Koshino looked up at his lover, looking slightly irritated.
"Hiro-kun...it's your smile...your true smile...it came back..." Sendoh brushed his fingertips over the other man's lips, gazing at him with awe.
Koshino retaliated by seductively sucking and licking the digits in his mouth, still maintaining the sweet smile on his face...which was now starting to turn naughty and coy, "You're wasting precious time, my love...didn't you say that you're going to drive me into the bed all night?"
Sendoh chuckled heartily and leaned down to passionately kiss his lover, pulling back only to catch some much-needed air, "That I did, o bossy one..."
"Shut up and kiss me..."
Not wanting to pass on the enticing offer, Sendoh promised himself to rock his lover's world by making sure that his beloved Hiro-kun would have trouble sitting come tomorrow morning...
"Uh...uh! Kaede! Please...I...I can't! I can't hold on anymore!"
Bliss...there was bliss everywhere...his Kitsune...his beloved husband...Sakuragi looked up to see hooded blue eyes staring down at him in lust...his slender pale powerful body towering over him.
"Hana...Hana-kun...feels so good...uh! Damn...don't make me stop..."
"Kaede! Kaede!"
"Hana-kun!"
The two men writhed under the silk sheets on their newly constructed king-sized bed within their private quarters, the lust and passion flaring in their veins coupled for their need for completion. Whispered love confessions and breathless moans and groans were the only sounds filling the room. They grew louder and more urgent until both young men stiffened in each other's arms. Rukawa collapsed on his husband who held him close, burying his nose against the golden neck. The redhead smelled so divine...he pulled his husband for a chaste kiss before propping up against the ornate headboard.
"No one must ever touch you again, my Hanamichi..." Rukawa declared as he sat up and pulled the other man close to him, "Your beautiful body...your immortal soul...your pure heart...they're mine..."
Sakuragi rolled his eyes in amusement but fulfilled his request by snuggling close to the muscled pale chest and kissed his collarbone, "As if I would forget that, Kaede...you're a sneaky and perverted Kitsune..."
Rukawa chuckled and merely kissed his nose in reply. Sakuragi hummed in contentment, allowing his husband to continue caressing his body reverently and lovingly. He gazed out of an open bay window where some of the branches managed to peek inside with their blossoming flowers. A gentle breeze passed through the room in a pleasant coolness and blew some of the pink blossoms to make them land on their bed. Sakuragi's eyes turned soft and tender as he reached out to gather some of the sweet flowers in his hand.
"Kaede..." the redhead murmured softly, "Don't they look beautiful?"
Rukawa smiled when he saw a fresh sprig filled with the sakura blossoms among the stray ones. He took it and placed it behind his beloved's ear which wasn't crushed against his chest. He brushed his hand through the silky red hair, "Yes, Hana-kun. They are beautiful. But you look more wondrous with them..."
"You know, Kaede...I've always been very lonely as I grew up...all I had was my father but he was gone...even though I have my friends, I wanted somebody who truly understands me and loves me for me..."
Brown misty eyes looked up lovingly at the beautiful, sapphire-blue orbs of his beloved.
"You saved me, Kaede..." the redhead brought a hand to cup a perfect porcelain cheek. Rukawa leaned into the warm touch and kissed the palm, "If it weren't for your friendship, I...I would never have the chance to experience this beautiful feeling...thank you..."
"Hana-kun..." Rukawa hugged his redheaded husband close, kissing his hair, "It is me who should thank you...you saved me from the darkness...you taught me to open my heart. If you hadn't entered into my life, I would've remained a monster for all eternity...so thank you, my Hanamichi."
Rukawa then tilted the redhead's head to give a passionate and loving kiss, making them tumble into the silk sheets. He pinned Sakuragi beneath him, careful not to crush the flowers still locked behind his ear. The redhead sighed in rapture and tilted his head back as Rukawa kissed and nibbled the golden skin.
"I love you, Kaede..." Sakuragi confessed as Rukawa finished his tender ministrations on his neck. Small beads of salty moisture lingered in the dark brown eyes, making them sparkle, "I love you so much..."
"I love you too, Hanamichi..." Rukawa kissed his tears away, tenderly rubbing his cheek with his thumb, "I promise you that it will be forever."
"Forever?"
"Yes, my beloved, forever. Because without you, there's no true happiness...you are my reason for living...you gave me meaning of life..." Rukawa clasped Sakuragi's hand that bore the wedding band, which shone in the moonlight, "Our life together has only just begun...and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for us..."
"Kaede..." Sakuragi cupped his husband's handsome face and whispered against his lips, "The night is still young...make love to me again?"
Rukawa's smirk grew slightly feral and his blue eyes darkened with desire, "With pleasure, Hana-kun..."
Rukawa took Sakuragi in his arms and kissed him hungrily, a prelude to the nightly festivities to further celebrate their love. Outside their window, the enchanted sakura tree continued to blossom under the moon and the stars.
The End (To the Epilogue!)
Author's notes: And that my dears is the official end of 'Hanamichi and the Kitsune'! But fear not, I will write an epilogue to this story! I believe that it should be about celebrating Hanamichi's first year of marriage to his beloved Kitsune, Kaede. I feel that there needs to be a revamped plot for it and I have more to say once I get the epilogue up. So until then...please keep on reading, my dears!