Warnings: This chapter is not suitable for people under the suggested age of 17. I shall not be held responsible for under aged readers.
Honeysuckles and Moonlight Shreds
By Eden's Epitaph
Chapter 13: Midnight Strands of Sinful Silk
"Clean…"
Kaoru described, with a simple word, the tidy interior of Kenshin's sparse home. Only the necessary allowed, in soft tones of blue and dots of yellow here and there. Everything sparkled, not a trace of dust on the shelves, no wayward objects, not testament of actual living beings residing besides, maybe, the invisible maid. Stunned, the young woman stole a side-glance from her teacher, wondering if that man was truly happy. He smiled and closed the door before taking his shoes off.
"Do you need to clean your clothes?" He asked and she blinked.
"Ah…" she muttered. "Y… yes actually I was about to ask."
"Allow me to help you." He offered, lifting the arm that griped the green military bag.
Kaoru blushed, those were her clothes… and underclothes he held in his hand. "Th… Thank you." The girl had not felt this awkward since… was it only a week? Somehow, it felt like forever.
"Tell you what," he said playfully. "Laundry is actually my favourite chore… but don't tell anyone."
She giggled, "I don't know why I'm not surprised."
Just like that, the tension the black-haired young woman had felt had disappeared leaving only that peaceful comfort she found in the amethyst-eyed teacher's presence.
"Make yourself at home." Came the friendly invitation from the laundry room down the hall where Kenshin disappeared. "There should be pillows and fresh blankets in the cupboard in front of the bedroom."
Kaoru's hand reached for the knob of the placard but her attention found solicitation within the room behind. Carefully, silently, she pushed the door left ajar to reveal a simple, well-kept bedroom. Plainly crafted in pinewood, the furniture was delicate and massive all at once. The carefully polished surface shown in dark honey hews slightly tinted of oranges as it reflected a ray of a mercury streetlamp light. The bed looked soft and cosy, the white comforter fluffing like a cloud pierced in one straight line by a deep blue bed-wide pillow. The light teal walls gave it all an appeasing feel. On each side, small tables supported a pair metallic lamps but the one of the right had, in addition, an ancient-looking alarm clock and four discarded books piled carelessly.
Feeling as if she were praying into the bright-headed man's privacy, the girl took a few steps, tempted to test that carefully made bed. Hers was old with pricking springs here and there while his seemed so inviting. She let her finger glide over the cotton coverall of the comforter, realising with a smile that it was stuffed with down.
"Miss Kaoru?"
The young woman jolted her hand away from the bed and turned around to see Kenshin by the doorway. "I'm sorry!" She exclaimed, feeling as if she was caught hand stocked in the cookie jar.
The man laughed, "Your clothes will be all clean tomorrow morning."
Kaoru feared the veins of her face would pop such the blood rushing up came in massive, hot waves. "Thanks." Feeling embarrassed, she looked back at the bed and took a few steps away. "Y… you have a nice bedroom." Now that sounded quite gauche. "Blue is a nice color…" she murmured now completely and utterly discomfited, where has her brain gone, it never seemed to fail her before.
"I think so too." Agreed the man, lavender eyes at ease and oh so gentle.
"You decorated?"
He nodded. "Beside a few things, most of this is my doing, that it is." He cocked his head to one side and turned to the cupboard. "Though I would much rather sleep on a futon…"
"But your bed looks so comfy…" Kaoru loved futons, but western beddings had that… cloudlike feel. That is, if the mattress was in good shape.
"Would you rather sleep in the bed?" He asked, pulling out a white pillow.
"It's yours." She argued.
Kenshin grinned. "More like Tomoe's. It's her taste in there, though she rarely ever sleeps in it."
Kaoru blinked walking up to him. "How come?"
The fiery-headed man blinked. "She's a stewardess on an airline cruse company and away from Japan most of the year, that she is."
The girl felt odd for a moment. "You mustn't see her much often." She muttered and walked to the living room, her gaze unfocussed.
"Not very much, indeed."
"But you call each other?" She asked now sitting on the couch, her face unusually guarded.
"N… No." stuttered the young man.
Kaoru seemed surprised. "You don't?" He shook his head. "But…"
Kenshin, pillow and blanket in hands, walked to her, his expression sombre and thoughtful, "Not every marriage ends in a 'happily ever after' of way, Miss Kaoru. Ours was far from a fairy-tale, that it was."
"I'm sorry…" she murmured, suddenly rather uncomfortable. "I didn't mean to…"
"It's alright." He assured her. "I… Don't mind talking about it with you." He then smiled at her and let his load fall to the floor before settling beside the girl.
"You've been together for how long?"
"Nine years… maybe ten… We got married in November…" The redhead turned to the right, watching the streetlight through the glass French doors of his apartment's balcony.
"Was it always like that?" She asked, feeling rather odd to talk about Kenshin's wife knowing very well what dwelled in her heart.
"She has always been the silent type."
Kaoru shook her head. "Even when you first met her?"
The redheaded man smiled. "We were only kids, but I met her because of a common friend of me and Sanosuke."
"Really?"
"Akira was three years older and my school tutor and Tomoe was his neighbour." He explained, remembering quite clearly the carefree times. "Sano used to fight often with his father and ran away once or twice a month. We had been friends ever since elementary school so he always ended up at the dojo. He never cared much about anything academic but Shishou always pressed me to do well in class so I asked Akira." He paused, then looked at her. "I was a part time instructor in a dojo under Shishou's request and Akira was a student there, that's how I met him."
"You were good friends?"
"I'd say more like… friendly acquaintances, that I would…" He answered a tint of mystery in his voice. "One afternoon, Sano had been freeloading on us for three days, and it was near the end of term's exams. I had a tutorial with Akira and Sano tagged along..."
It was a bight Thursday afternoon. Sano was as full of energy as usual after getting his hands on a large chocolate ice cream bucket from Hiko's personal refrigerator. Kenshin would later get a rough scolding and probably a hellish practice because of his friends delinquent actions, but the 13 years old redhead did not care much. His mother enjoyed watching them spare and actually, that was all that really matter to him.
"I'd love to see the tyrant's face when he'll find out that bucket disappeared!" said Sanosuke, a victorious grin on his face.
"You're not the one suffering the consequences… Have a little pity for me, Sano."
The taller boy chuckled. "Sorry man… I just couldn't resist. It practically begged for me to take it. Promise, I won't do it again."
"That's what you said last time!"
"This time's different." affirmed the spiky headed youth.
"Really?"
He grinned. "This time I mean it!"
Kenshin sighed. "Right…"
Sano laughed and gave his best friend a rough slap on the back and the smaller boy doubled over, coughing.
"So… where's that Kyosato guy's place? Heard it was a huge house."
"Right in front of you."
Akira's house was one of the largest Japanese mansion in Kyoto. It was a secret to no one that the Kyosato family was a powerful and highly respected yakuza house, even Sano knew about it. This was probably the only reason why the boy was so incline in following his friend.
"Man…" Sano whistled in exaggerated awe. "It's huge!"
Kenshin chuckled. "Try not to 'borrow' anything from them, they won't take it lightly, you know."
"What do you think? I'm dumb?" At his friend's careful silence Sano frowned. "I'm not stupid!"
The redheaded boy laughed and walked to the gate. "Of course not."
When he reached the high security entrance of the mansion, Kenshin froze. There was a girl sitting in front of the gate. She had dark, black eyes and a practically emotionless face. She had a graceful coldness about her and radiated patience but when she saw the two boys, she looked up and smiled lightly.
"You're here to see Akira-sempai?" She asked. "His not home yet."
"Where is he?" asked Kenshin, politely, noting that three bento boxes were piled next to the girl.
"At a kendo practice." She looked at him then stared at the boy's left cheek, and blinked. "You're Himura Kenshin?"
"How you know him?" Asked Sano, always so very suspicious.
"Akira-sempai said you would be here today." explained the girl, although completely ignoring the harsh speaking boy to favour the mild-mannered one.
"Though I didn't expect you to be this early, Himura."
Akira stood behind Sano with a friendly smile.
"I saved this for you." The girl took a bento box and offered it to the older boy.
"You made it yourself?" Akira was blushing and the black haired girl nodded, an almost invisible trace of embarrassment touching her cheeks as well. "Thank you…"
Sano nudged Kenshin on the side, snickering at the scene the other two was making. "Ain't that cute." He mocked and the redhead rolled his eyes.
"You have no right to make fun of my sister!" yelled an angered voice.
"Enishi!" scolded the girl with cold authority. "Don't yell like that at people you don't know. You have more respect than that."
"But sis… that chicken-like guy was being…" An authoritarian glance from his older sister silenced the boy. Resentful, Enishi sent a murderous glare to Sanosuke before showing Kenshin his tongue and running off to a smaller but just as luxurious house next to the Kyosato's grandiose residence.
"Enishi! Your bento!" The girl sighed as the boy disappeared. "He's going to run off and just not eat…"
Akira laughed. "I don't think your brother would ever change. Father says he'll either become a great man or…" but he censored himself giving the other two boys a side-glance. "Anyway…"
"Actually, Sano and Akira became rather good friends afterwards and we got to see each other more frequently aside from kendo and school tutoring."
Kaoru had leaned back against the couch. She hugged the white pillow out of pure habitude. Kenshin was right, it was a very comfortable divan.
"So… Tomoe was actually in love with Akira back then?"
The high school teacher nodded. "I learned later on that they were engaged at that time through a family arrangement."
Kaoru blinked. "People still do that?" She was surprised, arranged marriages were of the past, not the present.
"Akira's family was very conservative but I think it was more because Tomoe's father was a renowned lawyer than traditional family joining." He explained. "They were yakuza after all. But Akira once told me he was very happy it turned out to be Tomoe." Kenshin smiled sadly.
"But, Kenshin, why… I mean if she loved Akira and he loved her… and there was an arrangement…"
"Why was I the one marring her in the end?" The man smiled sadly. "Tomoe and I were, if I dare to say so, good friends back then. Enishi, her brother, hated it because he thought I would get between her and Akira. That boy always hated me though I never really understood why. Maybe it was because I too was able to make his sister laugh, a feat that only him and Akira had been able to perform before Sano and I intruded their life. It was fun back then but things changed…"
"Come on Kenshin, it's quick, easy money, and we're helping Kyosato along the way." Pressed a 15 years old Sanosuke.
The young man had just moved into a small two-room apartment and was discussing with his best friend who, at the moment, was more or less aware of the situation. Boxes piled around the living room that also served as the bedroom. A black ashtray on the bedside table was still fuming from a barely finished, oddly smelling cigarette the two just consumed.
Kenshin stared at the ceiling with hazed, slightly redden eyes. Filaments of dust hung from the pikes of clay that decorated the above of the meek apartment. His random thoughts scraped the walls of his brain, more or less listening to his best friend blather. On the television was a set of cheep action figures from a popular anime. Sano was collecting them for a few months now. He claimed them to be for his baby brother Outa. A cool breeze slipped through the lone window of the house, above the bed. The yellowish smoke escaped in sinuous cloudy rivers through the gape and the rancid smell vanishing along with it.
"It's dangerous…" murmured the small boy.
He waved a hand above his face, watching it trail in front of his eyes as if in slow motion, an after effect of that smoke, along with the grogginess that warped his mind and a numbing of his muscles. It felt good after school, it helped him to forget how sad his mother seemed to be, the harshness of Hiko's training and the bickering of his classmates. Sanosuke had it easy and Kenshin mused over the idea of dropping out of school as well, rather tired the trouble it caused him.
"Not with your skills, you're more dangerous than any armed junky out there!"
Kenshin had to give his friend a point, he was one tenacious man. If only his ideas were good ones.
"I already have enough problems with Hiko as it is…" Moaned the amethyst-eyed boy, his usual politeness pushed back in the recess of his mind, another effect of those slim cigarettes the two boys rolled up every afternoon.
"He promised to back us up if anything went wrong. Come on, I know we could be the best there is. Besides, weren't you the one who suggested it in the first place?" insisted the spiky headed boy.
"I'll think about it."
"Akira's family used to be very powerful but always stood clear until his father was assassinated."
"…Why?" inquired Kaoru.
"Akira's older brother was put in charged and unfortunately we got dragged into stuff we should've stood clear. It really got out of hand."
"What do you mean he hasn't come home yet?"
Kenshin, 17 years old, was talking to a nearly frantic Tomoe standing in his and Sanosuke's apartment doorway. He was worried. The usually serene woman never once lost her calm. It had to be deadly serious.
"He said he had something to take care of and left yesterday but he still has to return. Kenshin… I'm really worried. What if…"
"He wouldn't be that stupid…!" exclaimed the redhead, his expression turning from friendly to grim.
Tomoe worried her lips. "He… He said something about finding a clue about Sano's aggressors…"
Kenshin's face was grim. Bitter memories made the old scars of a reckless youth ach and itch. Strange how small, seemingly harmless things could lead to such an awful, bloody end. Kaoru was still unaware of a few details of the gruesome tale, but she knew enough to understand. It surprised him how she never pressed for answers, how she let him say whatever he wanted, never asking for more. He appreciated it greatly, this quality of her not to pray, a gentle listening ear.
Her blue eyes settled upon him gently, watching as emotions glide across his handsome features before halting to the cross shaped scare that marred his cheeks. Many times before her eyes grazed the unusual marking but never did she dare to ask how it came to be.
"Akira and I got into a lot of trouble because of his brother's insane taste for power." continued Kenshin, too deep in memory to notice his young companion's stare. "It wasn't supposed to turn that way, that it was not." He whispered, his hand reaching for the cruciform mark with nearly trembling fingers. "He died because of my mistake, leaving a pregnant, heart-torn Tomoe behind…"
The expression in his eyes was so heartbreaking. She wanted to mellow that pain she saw deep into those entrancing violet eyes, wanted to erase those cruel memories and create new ones. New joyous, happy and trouble-free memories she somehow knew he longed for. Kaoru reached a quaking hand to his own, covering his chilled fingers with her warm palm, offering some comfort in her own innocent way.
Kenshin turned to look at her and met her soft, tender gaze. Did she know how much he cared for those sincere, soothing clear blue eyes?
"What happened afterward?" Her inquiry was soft, undemanding but shamelessly curious.
He closed his eyes, hand sliding from under hers, which remain cradling the side of his face for a moment before floating away. Kenshin sighed.
"I couldn't leave her alone and morn over her lost love. Everyone warned me, especially Sano. I knew it was a bad idea, but back then, I was… I think I really was in love with her. Seeing her so sad, it hurt deep inside, and with the baby… I just…" He closed his eyes once more and a weary smile curved his lips. "I really didn't expect her to agree when I suggested marrying her instead of Akira. I don't know why… Maybe she did love me a little as well; it all went so fast, that it did. I said it was because she was pregnant and would not leave her to raise a baby without a father. I never was a good liar, but it rang almost true to my ears. We got married, just like that, quite easily and without fuzz." His gaze became distant again. "After three months… or was it four… I came home and found her passed out on the kitchen floor…"
A small gasp escaped the young woman's mouth. Pain was heavy in his voice and trouble clear in his eyes. Fate had been awfully cruel to him.
"Miscarriage…" he muttered. "Just like that, the whole reason why I married her was gone, but I though 'Maybe we can work this out and be happy together'." He said in a whisper and bowed his head. "For a while, I think we were… but… the flame died much too swiftly and left us both, somehow, trapped."
Warm fingertips brushed over his brow, shoving aside locks of silk-smooth vermilion strands to reveal dark violet eyes, edging on blue and drowning in emotions. They turned to meet her blue ones and saw them sparkling with tenderness. The gentle caress of her fingers as they pushed his hair behind his ear cause warmth to spread across his heart and, soon after, through his whole body, flooding through his veins.
"Kaoru…" he whispered his voice so soft and strangled by emotions so vivid, it barely left room for him to breath.
"I don't know everything, Kenshin." She explained, her expression confident and wise, but so very innocent at the same time. "But I know that Tomoe could never hate a man such as you…" His eyes widened and she smiled sweetly. "I'm sure she loved you…" then pain flashed in her eyes before she closed them, unable to sustain his regard anymore. "And still do… who wouldn't?"
"I…" he stuttered. "Kaoru…" but he could not find words to describe what he felt at that moment.
He wanted to warp his arms around her. That mournful pain her clear blue eyes barely concealed spoke well on its own. He wanted to cradle her, caress those soft tendrils of ink and hush sadness away such as she did with a simple smile. However, a second before he gave into his tempting desire, Kaoru's hand drifted from his face and she pushed her legs to the floor, straightening her body and gave him a cheerful smile that seem so horribly off.
"Kenshin… Do you think I could take a shower?"
The teacher blinked, expecting anything but that request. "Of… Of course… The bathroom is down the hall, second door to your left." He instructed and then got up as well. "I'll get you some fresh clothes, that I will."
He had the feeling Kaoru just pulled herself away, or rather, it was more as if she had retreated from him emotionally as she slipped into the bathroom and he went to the bedroom. It occurred to him that, maybe, he was not the only one feeling a new direction in the wind. He blinked, that thought was awfully vague. Was he still denying existence of their attraction, even to himself?
The sound of the shower spray echoed down the all to tingle his ears as he rummaged through the drawers. His wife had few clothes and brought most of them in her small wheel-lifted luggage. Only a few under-garments remained and that skimpy, nearly see-through nightwear Sano had bought for Tomoe's 20th birthday as a very distasteful joke. She never wore it and, his imagination flaring, he certainly was not about to throw Kaoru in those scandalous garments. Frowning, the redheaded teacher turned to the wardrobe where he hung the few shirts he owned. What else was there besides the dress shirts he wore to teach? Three t-shirts that maybe could serve her as a nightshirt were dirty from the seven days spent at the sea.
With a sigh, Kenshin picked a simple, safe, white cotton shirt and a random underpant before going to the bathroom door. He knocked once and her voice answered swiftly.
"Yes?" It sounded muffled behind the bathroom and shower doors and the sound of the spray.
"I'll open the door a crack to leave your cloths by the sink, Miss Kaoru."
"Ok…"
Swiftly, eyes firmly closed, Kenshin disposed of the neatly folded cloths and closed the door. Taking a step back, he released a breathy sigh, hand sliding down the knob to brush his side, almost lifeless, and turned to the kitchen. Tea should ease his mind.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The young man was filling up the grey porcelain cup when the even pour in the bathroom ceased. By the time she walked out the washroom, he was dissolving a cloud of milk into the amber liquid.
"Kenshin?"
She stepped into the living room, a towel around her shoulders, part of the terry-clothe cloaked her head as she carefully wrapped the excess of water from her long, dark hair. The shirt he gave her reached barely above her knees and skimmed over her thighs when she moved her arm. His lavender eyes widened, maybe he should have given her shorts as well.
"Do you have a brush somewhere?" She asked, moving her wet locks over her shoulder to fight of the rest of the obstinate droplets.
"I'll get it."-- and probably a pair of shorts as well -- He mumbled over a dry mouth and took a furtive a look over his shoulder he swallowed -- most defiantly.
Unfortunately, he found none and came back nearly empty-handed; the brush was not shorts for all he knew. His eyes observed the girl -- correction; the young woman -- and quickly looked back at the object he held and swallowed. She reached for it and he stopped her, not liking the turn his thoughts took when imagining Kaoru standing in the middle of the living room, the brush sliding through those ink-like strands, the shirt lifting up her thighs… When had he started to lust for his student? He had to prevent her from giving a life to his sudden fantasy.
"Allow me, please."
Her skin tinted a lovely color and her blue eyes darted away from him and found something so much more interesting on the floor. The thought came on its own. She looked so cute. Kenshin's cup of tea was long since forgotten when, shyly, the blue-eyed girl let him lead her to the couch. She carefully sat on the floor, folding her long legs to her side and pulled at the helm of her shirt.
His fingers ran through the length of her wet midnight locks, feeling the softness of it glide across his hand, finding the knots before he slid the brush through the silky mane. The coldness of the drying hair contrasted with the warmth of her head and Kenshin realised with a slight intake that it was a most pleasant feeling. He remember how soft that river of black felt when dry, but having the wet strands stick to his skin before gently they slipped away was something entirely different.
The more he touched her hair, the more he felt himself falling into a deep trance. Slowly, as time lapsed, the young man slid over the edge of the couch, nudging his companion forward so he could come to rest behind her. It was only to better reach the bottom of her amazingly soft hair, only to work all the naughty knots away. Only for those reasons, he justified himself inwardly. But his head seemed to fall on its own and as the last loop gave away, his hands slumped down the warm curve of her back to land on the cool floor and his forehead found rest between her shoulder plates.
"Kenshin…" she whispered softly.
It seemed the same spell was cast upon her. Her heartbeat thumped slowly but firmly and he could feel it resonate in his skull. It was a lulling and peaceful beat that spoke gentleness and comfort so sweetly -- there was nothing wrong in listening to that addictive tempo, was there? He took a deep breath, the fresh, clean smell of soap and shampoo -- his soap, his shampoo… on her skin… in her hair-- filled his nose along with something unique but just as fresh and clean. Maybe it was not such a wise idea after all. Such an aroma could hush all of his will away. Now, if only he could remember what he was so willing not to do…
He should not be doing this. Not here, not then, but it felt so amazingly good. Simply to lay his head on the young woman's warm back, the steady pulse chanting in his head was charming. His arms itched to presser that soft body to his chest, maybe the heartbeat would feel even stronger. No! Kenshin had to let go of her, stand up and bid her goodnight. It should be easy. The redheaded man simply had to lift his head and the rest should probably follow.
"I can't…"His voice was barely a murmur, almost slipping by unnoticed and his arms slid around her waist and slowly pulled the girl to his chest. "… that I can't."
Kaoru's hand brushed over his. "Kenshin…"
Her mind had been failing ever since the first stroke of his gentle fingers. That resolution she took earlier not to fall into such a daze by fleeing into the bathroom was slipping away from her mind. At that moment when Kaoru had touched his fiery bangs and Kenshin had looked into her eyes, those amazing violet iris sparkling as if a light resided within and yet gloomed by sorrow, the young woman knew that she had to pull away or she would regret something. Now it was a flitting promise, flying away such as so many did before this one. Could the young woman really regret being held like this, so tenderly? Why not… just melt.
Kenshin's control snapped, momentarily, and he pressed his lips softly to the woman's cotton covered skin. He gritted his teeth, clutching his eyes close, he wanted to do it again, but he could not. Would not. The reason, however, was vaguely elusive. All he needed was a little strength, if only god would grant him some.
"It's… getting late." He breathed across her neck.
Kenshin had been able to lift his head and utter those words. Should he thank God for the help or curse him? The redheaded man could not quite decide. His thoughts were hazy, fog-like and slipping away such as a tray of smoke vanishing into air.
Kaoru nodded and, slowly, forced herself up. Kenshin's arms slid from her waist and it felt almost as if the redheaded man did not want her to leave. Her bare feet lead her nearly blinded body to the bedroom, a feeling of lost falling heavily on her shoulder. Still, she forced a smile on her face before the young woman stole one last glance from her handsome teacher. That's right, he was her teacher, and he was married…
"Goodnight." She murmured and disappeared into the room and softly shut the door.
"Good night…" he whispered back, knowing very well she did not hear and thankful for it. His voice had sounded a bit strange, stranded maybe… or saddened, he could not tell witch one exactly.
His gaze traced the lines of wood on the floor, across the living room to the dinning table. It drifted over the bubble-like designs of one of the table's leg, over the edge and on the smooth surface of the dinning furniture. The teacup stood there, cold and forgotten. Kenshin strode to the table, warped his fingers around the smooth material of the cup and lifted it up to his mouth. The liquid was not very warm anymore and the taste not as soothing as he wanted it to be.
In a daze, his eyes roved over the few objects that littered the table. There was an empty vase in the middle on a white lace cover-cloths and his briefcase, stomach swollen by the pile of copies he had to correct before the end of summer break. Next week, all will be back to the usual, almost monotone routine. His eyes caught a small scarp of paper on which numbers had been written in graceful curves. It was the hotel number where Kaoru's aunts would be spending the night.
Kenshin picked up the white square of paper and eyed the numbers. Maybe he should call them, at least to let them know their niece was in his house. Or maybe he should ask them to come and pick her up? He was not sure anymore what it was he wanted.
Unconsciously, his hand reached for the receiver and picked it up. The dull tone rang in his ear and his fingers dialled the number, slowly pressing the keys one after the other. He waited and wondered what time it was, if he was not disturbing them for something completely trivial. That's when he felt her.
Kaoru had soundlessly exited the bedroom and walked the few meters separating them to stand behind her teacher. Lightly, her arms circled his torso and her warm cheek rested on his nape. He felt his muscles freeze and his fingers numbed.
"Would you…" Kaoru's hold tightened and he sighed. The receiver slid down a notch in his loosening grasp. "Forgive me…" she murmured against his skin. "I guess friendship is just not it anymore." The young woman sighed. "But…" Her breath was warm on his sensitive flesh. The young man had the repress a shiver of delight. "You're married…" It was more said in her sake then his, a warning to herself.
"Kaoru…" he whispered. "You're my student."
They both knew those were empty reasons now. It was time for the crumbling wall to fall.
"Don't think I ever cared…"
He turned his head and she met his gaze, a shadow of a smile upon her lips, her blue eyes sparkling.
"Kenshin… do you love her?" She asked, softly. The looming thought that his heart still belonged to the refined woman was her only remaining fear.
He let go of the string that held back his feelings. The invisible force Kenshin had earlier called upon was about to close their eyes. Kenshin returned the receiver to the phone, almost blindly, just as someone picked it up on the other side. Careful fingers reached for the lovely face of Kaoru and pushed a wet stray strand from her face, gently. She saw his true smile for what she thought was the first time.
"No…" he answered against her lips.
It was just as he remembered. However, this time the young woman was not crying. His thumb caressed a dry, smooth cheek, the muscle tugged lightly from the smile he could feel on her lips. This time, there would be no sorrow, no comfort to give, no twig to snap at the wrong time, just the still silence of the house, the blue-eyed woman and him. Even God would live them be, if only just this once. Her arms warped around his neck, her fingers slid gently across his nape and played with the small hair there.
"Kaoru…" he murmured.
His left hand slid across her back to press at the curve wanting, needing to pull her body closer to his. The girl gasped for air and he swallowed her bottom lip, nibbling tenderly. He had longed to do so since he saw her bit her lip for first time, only a few months ago. Careful fingers traced the line of her face, slid down her throat and across her shoulder. Her hair was still damp and drenched the back of her shirt which stuck to her like a second skin.
Kaoru was not a passive girl and Kenshin had always admired that quality of her. Her mouth not only succumbed to his touch, but responded as well. Her tongued darted out, her bottom lips still caught in his delightful bite, and lightly, tentatively, tickled his mouth. Her digits danced over his arm, curious and swift, gentle and carefree, they explored what they could. It sent tingling shocks up and down his spine.
"Kaoru…" Kenshin had left her mouth to trace featherlike kisses across her jaw, up to her ear where he whispered her name tenderly. "I can't…"
She opened her eyes. His caress forced her to tilt her head to the right, his words, though, worried her. "Can't…?"
"I mean," he explained, suckling and gently biting her earlobe. "Tell me…" A warm, questing hand to her side accompanied his words. "Tell me to stop Kaoru."
Kenshin's voice was almost pleading her, but his action told of a different yearning.
"S…stop…?" she stuttered.
"Before I can't." He murmured, fingers brushing the underside of her breast. She shivered. "Tell me to stop."
Her hand reached for his head and pressed his face against her neck. "Don't…"
Kenshin opened his eyes and rush back up the path to her mouth. He met her gaze, it was confident, it was beautiful. He cradled her head in his hands, his mouth only a breath away from hers. He smiled; no more warnings and no more restrains. He dove into her lips, his mouth searching, his kiss searing.
Her chest pressed into his and as she took a deep breath, his tongue found its way inside. His fingers glided down her arm and around her breast, tracing circles on the white cotton covering her warm skin. His other hand slid down her neck to find the shirt's collar, searching blindly for buttons. In the mean time, his mouth not once leaving hers, he slowly guided Kaoru backward. Her steps were clumsy, weary of hitting a random object, but Kenshin knew the way.
The young man undid a few buttons to reveal the soft swell of her chest but did not dive any further for the moment. His teeth nipped down her slender neck. His hand grazed over a very sensitive part of her breasts and she shivered. His name escaped her lips so very softly and he too, shivered.
They crossed the bedroom door, left wide open when the girl left the room earlier. With a blind push of the redhead's heel, it was close. Kaoru's delicate touch had rove across his chest and down his torso her fingers trying to work the helm of his shirt out of his pants. They tickled his flesh shyly. It felt blissfully good, the feel of her touch, fingers spreading wide over his skin, her cheek rubbing against his hair, her breath hot next to his ear.
The backside of her knees connected with the bedside and, with a cute sound of surprise, the blue-eyed girl dropped seated on the bed. Following her downward motion, Kenshin knelt in front of her, his face buried in the crock of her neck. Because of the fabric that covered his chest, she strained to reach his stomach and instead settled to comb her fingers through his soft, fiery hair, sending shivers all over his body.
His exploration grew bolder, desire fuelled by the girl's soft sighs. He touched her wherever he could reach with careful pressure and soft pinches, vivifying her nerves. His mouth drew moist paths of open mouth kisses athwart from the side of her head down and further down her collarbones, suckling here and there, toward the delicate roundness above her heart.
She could feel the heat of his mouth through the cotton as he warped around a sensitive pike. Unable to repress it, Kaoru let go of a breathy moan and she gripped his head and arched her back to give him better access. She pressed the redhead tightly to herself with a passionate grip. His fingers kneaded over her ribcage, spread in large arcs, and caressed the underside of her breasts before a thumb grazed the other clothed nipple, steering it to life.
"K…Kenshin…" she whispered, needing.
"Shhh…" His breath tickled her, hot on the now damp spot on her chest.
He switched his caring attention and slid a free hand down her side to grip her thigh ever so gently. His fingers slipped under her shirt, stroking the hidden skin of her leg and then up to go back down in smooth circles. Kaoru trembled and exhaled sharply, one of her hand diving under his shirt eager to feel his skin.
They were isolated from the rest of the world, cocooned in their private universe of feel, touch and love. Kenshin's caress left her breast and thigh to work on the remaining buttons. He lifted his face to kiss her petal fresh lips. She was responsive, pliant under his touch, vivid and full of life. Her fingers followed his lead. If she was to be bare chest in front of him, so would he.
Their shirts were discarded carelessly, and Kenshin's hungry mouth returned to her chest. His kisses were passionate, nipping then sucking her fevered flesh. Kaoru could not touch enough of him. Her hands gripped his shoulders, head and back almost desperately. Never before had she felt so… desired. He made her feel special, needed, precious. His touch always tender, even if his eagerness never ceased to increase.
Soon, the young woman found herself lying on the mattress, his mouth ravaging her body, stealing her thoughts away, filling her with sensations of him, images of him. Her vision saw only those warm, amethyst depths, even when she could no longer keep her eyes open.
His lips quested upon her body and followed his exploring hands. They mapped her skin, wanting, needing to discover ever part, every secrets she hid. Kaoru's skin was soft, her flesh firm and rip with a few little imperfections here and there. Small scratches, little bruises and tiny cuts that proved him how real she was. Her hands were just as rough as his own, but delicate and her touch featherlike. Nothing was as addictive, as sweet and beautiful as her it seemed.
Kenshin took his time to ignite a fire within her that threatened to consume her alive, and yet promised so much.
"Kenshin…" she panted, "I..."
His hand caressed her cheek and he smiled at her, nested his head on her stomach, his red hair tickling her sides.
"Please, allow me.…" he asked, hooking a finger to her underwear but waited for her approval.
Kaoru blushed but nodded. Slowly, the garment slid down her long legs. She felt exposed, completely at his mercy, and yet willing and fervent.
"Don't be embarrassed…" he told her, dropping a kiss on her knee. "You're beautiful, that you are."
She smiled shyly, sat up and reached for his face. "I'm not embarrassed…" she assured with a childlike grin, her blush, however, was burning. "Not that much anyway…" and kissed him
The redheaded laughed, the sound much like his personality, soft, gentle and caring. Kenshin kissed her back and again, with growing fervour until both lied breathless. He pushed her back to the downy comforter, his fingers twining with hers. Carefully the redheaded man pulled the girl's arms above her head then slid his hands down her sides. They made a quick stop at her breasts before continuing. His fingers tickled her stomach, played with her navel, rounded around her hips and gripped her thighs.
He planted butterfly kisses all over Kaoru's face and chest, showering her with tenderness and love. Then his fingers touched her where only she did before that. Her breath caught and her eyes shoot open, a loud gasp resembling his name escaped her tight throat. Kenshin nuzzled her neck, coaxing her gently to give herself up and relax. His index slid up and down the girl's nether region, searching blindly for that one spot. He hit it once and Kaoru shivered, her hips bucking upward. He touched it twice again before starting to motion his finger in slow circles.
"Kenshin!" She pleaded.
"Don't worry." he hushed her, not for the first time, his voice comforting and appeasing, his action exciting and maddening. "Just feel Kaoru."
The young, black-haired woman's breathe quickened and Kenshin could feel her heart pound in rhythm to her gasps. He observed as her face flushed, pleasure twisting her features so beautiful, her lips parted, her chest heaving erratically. He could not resist tasting that mouth once more and slipped his tongue inside, swallowing her gentle cries of desire. His lips travelled to play with an erected nipple and she started to trash, gasping for breath, climax rising. Oh, but he did not stop when she cried in ecstasy, rather, he continued to torture the knot of nerves, devouring her flesh as he did.
"Ah… K… Kenshin…"
"Once more," he encouraged her, his tongue dipping into that cute belly button of hers and he looked up into her eyes. "I want to hear you once more…"
Kaoru swallowed, a trembling hand reaching for his head as it started to dart further down her muscular stomach. She wanted to stop him and implore him to continue at the same time. The sensations that torn through her was maddening. Her body underwent a violent quiver when he did the unconceivable. His finger still igniting pleasure at her core, his tongue joined in the dance. He sucked, nipped and licked, driving her insane, panting and sweating. She fought against him, fought with him, struggling to breathe, struggled to stay sane, struggled for release.
Kaoru planted her heels firmly on the mattress, trying to find something to ground herself, a bound to reality that seemed to slip from her grasp with each stroke of his joined fingers and tongue. White flashed before her eyes and she let go of a strangled cry, her back arching off the bed gracefully. Her toes wriggled and a warm tangling sensation warped around flesh. Kenshin smiled against her intimacy, one of her hand was firmly tingled in his hair and the other clutched a fistful of the bed cover. Her strong grip softened slowly just as her back returned to the mattress. He kissed the inside of her thigh, living a love-bite behind.
"Kaoru…" he whispered, covering her body with his own. He caressed her cheek tenderly, applying soft kisses to her neck and jaw to gain her attention back. "Kaoru…"
Breathing heavily, she opened her eyes and slowly, a smile spread over kiss-swollen lips. "I… I…"
But she could not find words. Instead, she practically jumped on him and covered his mouth with her own fevered one. Her vitality and strength amazed him. Gently, with the help of her hands, she pushed him into a sitting position. Her tongue explored the recess of his mouth clumsy at first, but soon she learned how to kiss him and hesitation flickered, like a dying light bulb before it died, and disappeared.
Her lips trailed over his jawbone, her teeth marking her passage as they descended to his throat, suckling softly. Kenshin swallowed, surprised by her boldness, moved by her tender care. With a light touch, her hands mimicked his earlier actions, fingers gently exploring, tickling his skin and marvelling at the feel of it.
"Kaoru… what are you doing?" His voice had a muted quality to it and caused the young woman to smile against his chest where her mouth had travelled.
"Returning the favour…" she breathed before darting her tongue tentatively on his strong chest.
He shivered and his hands dove into her drying hair. Lightly, Kaoru's dainty fingertips traced a line to his abdominal muscles, feeling them ripple and quake under her touch. Her moist mouth closed on one of his nipples and he exhaled sharply. The sound intoxicated her. The blue-eyed teenager depicted careful circles with her hands and mouth, slowly reached down to his trousers and discreetly unfastened the button. She hesitated shortly before giving into the temptation to plunge her hands inside. The skin there was softer than anywhere else.
Her hands were treacherous little things. When Kenshin thought they only would explore lightly they mischievously dove right for his sex.
"K… Kaoru…" he murmured hotly, his head fell to rest on her shoulder.
For the first time, Kaoru touched a man. The realisation of it caused her to stop, open her eyes and blink. Idly, she looked down to where her hands had disappeared to and squeezed lightly. A gruff, muffled sound rumbled through Kenshin's chest and the girl smiled. She liked that reaction.
As her mouth returned to create wonders on his torso, her hands slid up and down his length, as if measuring it. It felt different. The skin was exceedingly soft and just a tad bit slippery at the tip. It was warm and she could almost feel it pulsing in her palms and it was rather hard and, she realised, still hardening. Her fingers went further down to cup him and then applied gentle pressure. A sound that resembled a groan touched her ear and she smiled, gaining confidence.
Soon, she found a rhythm that got Kenshin panting and groaning against her. He held her with a desperate grip, his breath ardent on her back.
"Kaoru…" he murmured, almost soundlessly, unable to form any other coherent word.
Trembling, he warped his hands around her wrists and gently pulled them away. She was reluctant to let go and he had to coax her back to the bed to free himself from her passionate grasp. Swiftly, he got rid of the rest of his clothes and laid above the young woman, carefully cradling her in his arms. He meld his lips upon hers, taking all his time to rediscover her mouth. He wanted her, yes, but he wanted to savour every part of her.
Distantly, Kaoru heard a drawer being pull open and the shifting of unknown items then the drawer slid close. Kenshin's lips skidded from hers to scatter millions of kiss upon her face, neck and shoulders before he looked her in the eyes. His violet orbs were intense and unguarded, shamelessly displaying his desire for her and the tenderness behind the fire that raged within.
"You can still tell me to stop." He whispered.
"I don't want you to." She answered, her eyes mirroring his feelings.
He offered her a warm smile and sat back slightly, a square of plastic trapped in his fingers. Kaoru blushed furiously recognizing the item. He torn off the warping and her fingers reached up to take the preservative away from him. At his questioning look, the young woman flushed a deeper shade of red, her sapphire gaze hiding from his look but her lips had a gracious loop.
"Let me do it…"
His gaze softened and he gave her a kiss, guiding her in the process. He gently caressed her hair, the dampness of it almost completely gone, and kissed her brow. He followed a sinuous path across her face, meeting her lips once in a while before they skidded down to the tender flesh of her neck, teeth grazing now and then. His hands touched her breasts, starting her fire anew before her carefully slid his protected sex into her moist entrance.
She gasped and her muscles protested by tightening around him and he stilled. His mouth devoured her chest, finding every little spot that set her nerves afire and pushed further within her. Kaoru grimaced slightly, the sensation was not very comfortable, although it was not as painful as she first expected.
"Please Kaoru," he breathed over a glistening nipple. "Relax…"
She took a deep breath, "I'm ready." She uttered.
Kenshin's hand slipped between them, his finger searched for the bundle of nerve there and started to rub it as soon as his touch feathered upon it. Gasping, Kaoru spread her things wider and the redheaded man felt her insides melt against him, allowing him to slide further inside. With a little push, he went all the way through, his fingers never ceasing to caress her most sensitive point, his mouth still devouring her soft mounds.
He gave her time to adjust, readapting his position and sliding an arm under her back and took a gentle hold of her hand. His mouth found hers yet again and, no longer able to stand still, started a gentle, careful motion. Kaoru writhed slightly at first but soon, her hips were joining his in their age-old dance.
Kenshin was just as she had always imagined him to be. Considerate, gentle and tender with a definite flare of passion into each of his movements and caresses. She felt overwhelmed and all Kaoru could do was to warp both arms and legs around him and allow her instincts take over and guide the joined couple toward ecstasy. They panted heavily, sweating profusely. His grip tightened on her hand, pulled it above her head and Kenshin rested his brows against hers, peering deep into her blue eyes. He met her love with each trust that sent a gasp through her parted lips.
Her breasts bounced up and down, rubbed against his chest, millions of dazzling sensations shared through their act of love. It was nearly too much, his heart pounded loud in his ears along with the lovely sound of Kaoru's soft mews and moans. He was short on breath. A hand to her backside helped her following each of his thrusts. Her cries took in intensity, echoed on the walls and created a feral music that followed them through their lovemaking, his own hushed groans joining in the chant.
At one moment, the young woman became unbelievably tight around him, her inner muscles creating some sort of suction and Kenshin's restrains shattered in his hands. Her hips pushed upward and Kaoru found her release with a mute cry in her throat, eyes wide and unfocused. With barely a few more thrusts, the redheaded man joined her, burring his face in the crook of her neck, a hoarse grunt rumbling through his chest.
They stood still for an eternal moment, their loud breathing the only source of noise in the dark bedroom. Kenshin felt, for the first time in many years, completely relaxed, at ease… happy. So happy that a large grin spread over his face and he inhaled deeply. The smell of soap, shampoo, sweat and love was everywhere. It was blissful… sinfully blissful.
"Kaoru…" he said, voice smiling and tender.
Finger combing his silken strands of vermillion, the girl sighed, her lids feeling rather heavy all of a sudden. Drowsiness seeped through her, her breath falling into a deep, restful rhythm. Kenshin lift his head, and saw her drift away in a matter of seconds. He chuckled before he pulled away, almost regretful, to dispose of the condom. He probably should wake her up and instruct her to go to the bathroom, but the adorable look he found on her sleeping face pleaded him to let her sleep. Instead, he brought a cleaning-terrycloth.
His tasks done, Kenshin gently gathered the girl in his arms and slipped the both of them under the covers. She murmured half words in her sleep as he moved her but never woke. The redheaded teacher yawned and shifted slightly, gently cradling the girl in his arms. He rested his head on her shoulder and fell into a deep, blissful slumber.
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Not many knows how much I hesitated to make this chapter a complete lemon instead of a simple, sweet lime. In the beginning I intended to keep it to an erotic exploration. I'm still wondering if I should have kept it to that, but it is actually way too late to change it. I tried to keep it as realistic as possible though and I'm aware that not every girls has an orgasm on their first time. Someday I will probably write a more realistic first-time-lemon, but for now, I don't want to break that fantasist illusion. Heh… I'm either a real softy of a very naughty girl. I must also explain a bit Kenshin's memory scenes. They resume what happened, but they don't tell much anything either. I'm not sure if Kenshin will explain everything in this story or in the sequel. I suppose it's something I'll know as I will continue to write my plan. I'm curious to know your suspicions though.
Eden's Epitaph
Edited by Guardian Forever