AN: I'm adding my notes at the bottom. They're long and ranty, so feel free to ignore them.

This chapter didn't take the direction I originally had planned, but fret not. Leaps are still taken.

Warnings, alcohol usage and strong suggestive content. Mild violence.

KDQ- I'm taking mercy on you by posting this once I was done editing. :p

Repeating currents of warm air fluttered the hair on the back of my neck. It was the first thing I became aware of as my brain released me from comatose once finished resting. The second thing was the heavy feeling of weight over my body, curving around my middle on one side and joining with a large warm mass on the other. Panic swam through my veins as I fought to move my body, finding my entire being unable to move. Not even my eyes would do my bidding no matter how much I urged them, my body practically dead as my brain remained alive and alarmed. This wasn't the first time I was stuck in this inbetween phase, but it was the first time I had felt something coiled around me at the time. What if I had been captured?! Had I passed out somewhere and some disgusting man swooped in and carried me away?! Was he the reason I was forced to lie in complete awareness but with no function of my vessel? What was going on?!

The form behind me mumbled incoherently, the, I could only guess, arm imprisoning me tightening its keep. And then... There was a noticeable... Shift against me, and judging from the location of this feeling of movement... It wasn't an innocent adjustment. Oh no... This person was male and their body was in the process of awakening. I could feel the burn of a fever consuming the skin of my face, finally able to move just enough to squirm slightly to rid myself of the obscene unintentional touch. But in response to my effort, the hold on me squeezed and forced me closer, the quiet tenor whispering in my ear in a sleepy daze.

"Amethyst..." That low moan of my name had me freezing in chagrin. It was a softer version of the same sound he had made last night when he reached his pinnacle... Flutters of embarrassment and shame drifted from my chest, spreading out and engulfing me as I instinctively sucked in and held my breath at the memories. How could I have done that? How could I have allowed him to do what he did to me?... Not only did I break my vow of waiting until marriage, I had allowed him to see me at my most vulnerable. I had allowed him to touch me in the most intimate of ways... And only because I had been lost in the heat of the moment and my judgment was impaired. My body had wanted relief from the built up tension, and I had given in to my baser instinct, even if it hadn't gone all the way. I was a disgrace...

A low, groggy chuckle sounded behind me, followed by the shifting of a head to tuck into the curve of my neck. "Good morning." The lilt of a knowing tease accented his voice before he pressed a kiss to my skin. Immediately, the weight of humiliation lifted. I couldn't understand why exactly in my drowsy state of mind, but... He did ease a lot of my guilt with the simplest of touches. "How are you feeling now?" I sighed and relaxed into his embrace, suddenly hit with the gravity of the knowledge that... This was Akito. The same Akito who had slapped me and humiliated me. The same Akito who had called me all kinds of names. Cupid sure had a strange sense of humor.

"Ashamed." I let my voice waver in a tease, not at all surprised by his snort of disapproval.

"You're ashamed of me?"

"Ashamed of letting you touch me."

"So me, then."

"Maybe."

"You're so ungrateful." I let out a laugh at his obvious taunt, instantly feeling his lips curve upwards against my neck. "Laughing at an insult?"

"You and I both know you don't mean that as you did then."

"Someone's cocky. Perhaps I should...punish your audacity." His arm shifted against me, and emitting a scoff I grabbed it.

"No."

"What, didn't like it?" His limb persisted in continuing its movement, the hand landing on my thigh and creating tingles of freshly aroused desire to form.

"I didn't say that." Without giving him the chance to respond or further his actions, I rolled out of bed without warning and walked towards my discarded kimono still near the door. "I'm off to the bath. I need to get your, heh, filth off my skin." Once the words left my mouth, I knew I had made a mistake. I had meant to mock how he treated me when I first started working here, but given the context... He probably thought I meant something else entirely by "filth."

He snickered and I could hear the shifting of the bed as he sat up. "I thought that was already taken care of last night."

In truth, Akito knew exactly what she had meant, and he knew exactly what that stiffness in her muscles as she stood in front of the door with her collected kimono indicated. She was aware of her accidental innuendo, and that made this too good of an opportunity to embarrass her to pass up. "N-not what I meant. I was just..." Her voice died, and that darker side of him maliciously smirked at what would have been a sign of surrender in a cowering adversary, but forcing himself not to give in to his instinct to ridicule her and grind her into the ground with insults, he simply grinned mischievously.

"No? Because don't think I didn't catch that alarmed look in your eyes when you realized that my 'filth' had gotten on your hand." He forced his tone to remain even and serious in a hushed monotone, but if she had been facing him, he was positive she'd see the laughter in his eyes at her discomfort.

"I...let's go to town later, okay?!" This sudden shift caught him off guard and left him unable to manifest a riposte before the door opened, slammed closed and she was gone. Blinking in confusion for a moment, he let a hearty laugh escape his throat as he stood to walk out onto the engawa. She was getting too easy to irk, and he was going to show her that letting him know her weaknesses was a mistake.

"Alright, so, why'd you drag me to the mall exactly?"

"You say drag yet you got in the car without complaint."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"I need things."

"What kind of things?"

"...things."

"You don't know, do you?"

"..."

Snickering at her defeat, Akito placed a hand on her head and ruffled her hair, deliberately defacing her hair style and pulling some strands free from the loose bun. "You just wanted an escape."

"I...Akito!" A small hand grabbed his wrist and forced it away. "Do you know how long this took me?!"

"Yes. Your point is?"

He could tell from her flushed and rosy cheeks she was embarrassed from the stares pointed at them. Wasn't his fault, she's the one who yelled and aroused their attention. She desperately fought to pull the rest of her hair out of its hold in a timely manner. "I'll get you for that, you bastard!"

"It was only fair. You insulted me and then ran out of the room, and brought me to town for absolutely no reason whatsoever. A messed up bun is merciful payback."

"Hey, coming here was retaliation for making fun of me, so looks like I still owe you."

"Oh dear, is that supposed to be a thre-"

He cut off when he noticed the girl went stiff as a statue, her hands frozen in their act of pulling her hair into a ponytail, before languidly moving down to her sides at an excruciatingly slow rate. Her breathing shallowed and slowed to the point she seemed to be inhaling glass with every breath, her body trembling ever so slightly. The worst part? Her eyes were as wide as China plates, locked ahead and flickering with the utmost trepidation he'd ever seen. "Hey... What's..." Her formerly pink cheeks paled, and her skin was the same shade of white as the pristine walls in the mall. All in all, she appeared to have seen a ghost. "What's wrong with you?" She didn't even blink in response. The only reply he received was in the form of her hands quivering as though she were freezing in a tundra wasteland before she latched them onto her skirt with a death grip. Alarm began splitting through him, he'd never seen her act like this. The only time she even seemed remotely this frightened was at the beginning of their relationship, when she had...when she had believed he was going to force her into sex. Following her line of sight, his eyes fell upon a small group of people at the other end of the hall. They seemed no different than the hustle and bustle of the crowd around them. Just typical monkeys chattering and acting without dignity. And yet, something had set her off. But...what?

The tug of one of her dainty hands grabbing his black sleeve brought his attention back to the short girl at his side. Her barely audible whisper shook with puncturing fear, and his own breathing was faltered by the sound. "It's..."

I clung to him. I felt like a small child for doing so, but I needed his presence and closeness. My heart seemed to pound relentlessly in my chest, and yet freeze over at the same time. I felt nauseous and lightheaded, my terror and apprehension suffocating me. He couldn't understand. He couldn't know why I had suddenly froze up, why I had suddenly been put on the edge of passing out. There was no way he knew... That tall man talking to that crowd...was him. It wasn't an uncanny resemblance. I knew him anywhere. That scar down his face from a bar fight, those penetrating ice blue eyes that I could see the exact shade of even from this distance, the dark hair that appeared black but shone a dark brown in the lighting... But...why was...why was he here?! That asshole... That disgusting, abominable fleabag... He had followed me to Japan.

"Akito..." I could hardly speak, my chest constricting and screwing up into itself and enveloping my heart and lungs. I maneuvered myself closer to and slightly behind him.

"What's wrong?"

"I..." How did he know I was here?! How did he not only know the country I had ran off to - when he had been completely cut off long ago - but the exact city?! "We...get me out of here. Please..." Ice was taking over my blood, freezing every drop into a perpetual corroboration of my consternation and disquiet.

"You know them?"

I swallowed thickly, the feeling being akin to forcing a blade down my esophagus. "I...know him." As if on cue, cold eyes met mine, a smirk curving the lips of that horrendous monster as he recognized me. "Let's go.. Now!" I was begging! This was no time for games. My vision was blurring and I could hear my heartbeat. What was he waiting for?!

"Is he...the one who..."

"Hai... Please, Akito..."

"...we're staying." The ice forming over my heart shattered as rage set it on fire.

"What?!" How could he... Did he not see how afraid I was?! Did he not care?!

"We're staying. Just trust me."

"Akito-"

"He won't hurt you with me here. Nothing's going to happen."

"I-!" I turned to glare at him and plead at the same time. His eyes met mine and a comforting smile graced his mouth, and just like that, almost half of the blizzard calmed within me.

"It'll be okay."

"He...he's coming this way!... Can we go to a store at least?" My eyes kept flicking between the scoundrel advancing towards us and those calming obsidian eyes. I had never begged so much... I would just go myself, but I was terrified to be alone with him here.

"No."

"Akito, why are you..."

"Hello, sir. Can I help you?" Akito spoke to someone out of my range of view, and swallowing thickly, my heart pounded harder and jumped into my throat.

"Actually, I've just been looking for someone." That horrible, heart-stopping, deep voice spoke in near fluent Japanese, much to my surprise. There was a pause, and I squeezed my eyes shut as I fought back an onslaught of tears. Please just go away... Please. "...Holly?"

I clamped my fingers more firmly into Akito's sleeve. I was sure my nails would rip the fabric, but I could repair it myself or buy him a new shirt later. I was praying silently to be freed from this hell... "Is that you, Holly? You haven't grown an inch since I last saw you." He had switched to English, and I didn't know whether or not Akito understood what was being said or not.

"Kore wa Amethyst-san desu." Akito's interjection had me swallowing again in apprehension. Either he understood enough English to understand my attacker, or he could tell he was addressing me by a different name. The latter scoffed.

"Still going by that stupid nickname? Honestly, you're what, twenty years old now? You may have run away but you could have at least grown up."

I refused to turn and look at the man talking. I wanted to just die and forget I ever existed. How fucking dare he follow me... How dare he ruin the contentment I had found moving here...

"Are you acquainted with this woman?" Akito's use of my native language had my eyes fluttering open. I never would've expected him to be able to so easily speak it... His thick accent was in his words, but it was still impressive and unexpected.

"Yes. I've been looking for this whore for years. She's rightfully mine, so I'll be taking her from here." I flinched and buried my face against Akito's arm, wrapping my arms tightly around him. Don't let me go... Please...

"Whore? No no, I believe you are mistaken. This woman is a virgin, and certainly not a lecherous leech like your aura says about you. She is not yours by any means."

"Five years ago she-"

"Five years ago is not now. She has every right to do what she wants with herself, and choose who she wants to be with. She is engaged to marry me, and I will not tolerate some lowlife with a hideous beer belly and alcohol-laced breath trying to tear her away from me. She has to make that choice. You will leave this woman alone. I should report you to authorities for harassment."

I couldn't believe this... On one hand, the man I tried my damnedest to forget was standing before me and trying to once again steal me from my happiness with no concern over what I want, and on the other... Akito was protecting me. Never would I have imagined someone would care this much for me. I was just a common, run-of-the-mill peasant... He could have anyone else he wanted, why would he choose me? I only caused issues... And yet... Here he was.

"She still owes me for that time she ran out on me. I expect at least a blowjob for having come this far, and then you can have her ba-" Akito suddenly jerked away from me, and before I could grab for him again, I heard a loud whap of collision of skin. Forcing my eyes to take in what was before me, I was met with my stalker laying on the floor, a hand covering his mouth with blood beginning to leak between his fingers. Akito's pose implied what had happened, and that was a direct uppercut landed using his foot. As my 'guard' straightened, he stared down at the bloody attacker.

"Look. I care not what reason you have to believe this girl owes you anything. But I do care about threats in her direction. Only the lowest, most disgusting, arrogant sons of bitches force themselves on an innocent woman. I should castrate you right here and now, but I'm afraid I'd rather not dirty my hands with your germs."

"Why you-" I gasped as my nightmare stood and threw a punch towards Akito, only for him to dodge and kick him square in the chest, effectively sending him flying into the far wall. Many people had begun to gather and watch the scene playing out, some pulling out their phones. Right now, I couldn't find it in me to be embarrassed, only... Touched that Akito would do this in my defense. Onyx eyes turned to meet mine.

"Amethyst. Get your phone and contact the authorities. I believe this man is due for jail time."

"H-hai." Fishing my device out of my purse, I dialed the number and asked for assistance as I watched Akito continue to debilitate him. A loud crack followed by an agonized groan signaled a hard kick to the groin, and I couldn't help the flare of amusement and sadistic pleasure of seeing him suffer for what's he done.

Once the interrogation with the police was finished and they had shoved the foreign man out of the mall, with the promise he would be deported and never allowed back, Akito grabbed my arm and dragged me back to Hatori's car.

"Well. It may have been for naught, but at least one thing came out of today's journey to the mall. I need a drink."

I laughed as I pulled my seat belt across and buckled it. "We both need one." I let my features fade into a genuine smile, meeting his eyes and grabbing his hand as the car began to move. "Arigatou..."

Shock swam across his face before he let a small curve pull his mouth. "Hn. It was high time that waste of flesh met punishment. I only wish I would've been able to kill him for his insolence." He snorted and leaned closer to me, pulling my hand towards his chest. "So... You used to be known as Holly?"

I couldn't help the giggle of hearing my name in his accent, embarrassed he had found out in such a way and that he even uttered my real name. "Hai. It's... My real name. Remember, I changed it long ago when I moved here... I hated my name, and it had too many painful memories attached to the sound." I looked to the side, pulling my hand free of his grasp. "I'm sorry you had to find out this way."

"It's fine. It's not something worth worrying over."

"Still."

With my kimono tied around my waist, I pulled my wet but freshly brushed hair up into a ponytail. I wouldn't tell Akito, but while in the bath I had let the tears from our encounter with my attacker finally flow. No way was I going to cry in front of him again. Not only was it embarrassing and a sign of weakness, I didn't want him worrying. I would be fine with time, but to say it had shaken me up and awakened my memories was an understatement. It was why I was willing to meet him for wine tonight. It was why I planned to completely let go of my restraint and down as much as it took to knock me out. And truthfully... Seeing how much he cared about my wellbeing had me, temporarily, dropping my concern over whether he would let the alcohol overrule our resolve. I certainly didn't want to give myself up, but at the same time... We were already engaged and he had proven he wasn't just taking advantage of me. I was too much of a pushover... Plain and simple. But tonight, maybe some extra loving would be beneficial. Maybe it would be nice to have him prove he loves me and wouldn't hurt me like he did. He seemed willing afterall, it was me that was holding back...

Stealing a glance at my purse and stopping in my trek out of my room, I spotted the corner of the new box I had bought today while he was in the restroom. Well... Just in case, yknow. Better safe than sorry. Rationalizing with myself it's best to be prepared just in the case of IF, I sighed and paced to my bag, opening the box and slipping one of the wrapped items into my kimono's pocket. No doubt knowing I had this thing secretly tucked away all evening will drive me crazy, especially once the alcohol kicked in. Only time would tell what would become of my decision.

"How are you feeling? I've been worried since we arrived home. You've been concerningly quiet, and your face is a little red... Are you still upset?" I met the warm gray eyes across the table, blinking and smiling to reassure him as I took the glass he offered me.

"I'm okay. I'm sorry again about the trouble."

"That's not necessary."

I shrugged and took my first sip of the burning liquid. The fire moving down my throat was more than welcome, since I was fully aware of how it could bring loss of memory. Pulling the glass away, I met his eyes again. "How'd you learn to fight like that?"

"One of the Sohmas, Kazuma should you ever encounter him, is a martial arts professional and teacher. He taught me when I was a young age, saying it's very important I learn self defense should anything happen." There was a distant, almost disgusted look in his eye. "Of course, he had to teach me separate from the other kids, as I did not get along with a couple of them and he didn't want us bloodying each other's noses."

I nodded, decided it would be best not to press the subject. "Well, I think it's great you had a teacher. I've always wanted to learn but this..." I scowled down at my nearly lame body. "Stupid body does not always do what I want it to. And with my spine, it further instigates the difficulty. That is why I learned to fight with an iron tongue and quick thinking."

Downing another generous drink, I was thankful for the first sways of the room. I had a lot I needed to forget, and I had now found out my upset about the body I was forced into was one of the numerous things. I nearly chuckled. Oh dear, this whole scenario felt familiar.

"You certainly did. Never have I met a woman with your level of cunning and wit." He snorted in laughter. "Still not sure if that's a good thing."

I smirked and tilted my head, leering at him. "What, afraid I'll oversnark you and shame your name?"

He grimaced mockingly, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. "Don't say such scary things."

I laughed with a genuine warmness I had yet to get used to radiating from my own chest. How amazing it was that in only a few months, I could see this attractively comic side of Akito I could tell he kept very hidden in the most secure safes of his heart. I could remember the last time we sat in these exact seats at this very table, sharing our first drink that would eventually lead to trouble but good. Had someone told me I'd truly be joking with him, I'd be engaged to him, with a naughty thing tucked into my pocket, in less than a year... I would've tied him to a mast of a ship and sent him off in fear he'd gone mad! Yet here I was. It was absolutely surreal. The words seemed inadequate.

"But on a different matter, we need to arrange the wedding." I nearly choked on my drink, closing my throat just in time to stop the fluid from flowing down. "What? It's not going to just happen without planning."

"I know that!" I grabbed the bottle and refilled my nearly empty glass. "I guess I'm just still... Not used to the idea yet. I had spent the last few years believing I'd die single and I never wanted to be with a man again, and now-"

"Now you're engaged to the head of a wealthy family, drinking wine, and looking ravishing in your kimono." My smirk of amusement at his words disappeared instantly with the last part. My eyes flitted up to meet his, drawing a snicker from him. "What? You're to be my wife. Am I not allowed to compliment you?"

"You..." I couldn't find words, only ducking my head to hide my burning blush. His flattering always flustered me deeply. And while I knew it was strongly in part due to the alcohol spreading in my blood, it ignited a flame of desire, the knowledge of the package I had brought doing nothing to help.

He laughed and I could see him take a drink through my hair. "You're so easy."

Spotting an exit from my dismay, I returned his laugh with my own. "I am most decidedly not easy." I caught his surprised expression at my innuendo before he grinned with a glint in his eye, one that added fuel to that familiar hunger.

"Oh, I am well aware. But, I'm finding the work is very much worth it. Your difficulty makes you a true prize to obtain, and I always get the prizes I set my eyes on."

I winked at him, leaning closer to him with mischief hiding under my sleeve. "We'll see about that..." I spoke as alluringly as I could, waiting for him to lean in too. And once he did, I stood and began walking away. "I'm going to get some crackers." I could hear his vocalization of confusion and annoyance, soon followed by his footsteps.

"That was unfair."

"Tough love, dickwad. Knowing you think I'm a prize, I'm gonna make your ass work for every kiss."

"Oh..." Hands clasped my hips and yanked me back, his own crashing against me. "I have an idea of how I can earn that pleasure."

I scoffed and forced him to let go, briskly walking to the back. "Doing dishes?"

"...no."

Pleased by the disappointment lacing his tone, I grabbed the crackers and exited the pantry, signaling with my finger for him to follow back to the table. "You're so whiny."

"Because you're a tease."

"I didn't hear you complaining last night."

He opened his mouth to speak, and to keep him from making a humiliating comment, I shoved a cracker into his mouth. "Just let it go. You'll get what you want when you earn it."

He rolled his eyes but chuckled, pulling the exposed half of the salty snack away from his lips. "I get what I desire when I want it. I am the Head of the house."

"And I'm the woman you've set your heart on marrying, and as such it's my responsibility to teach you patience and manners." Taking a large drink from my glass, I watched the indignation flash over his eyes briefly, smiling behind the liquid in triumph. "But back onto the subject... How is the wedding going to like...work? What are they like in Japan?"

"Hm? I don't get out enough to know myself, but I hear there's infinite ways. I imagine it shouldn't be too different than one in America. Truthfully I just imagined a small one. No need to get a lot of people involved. They'd just overcrowd the ceremony and be a nuisance... Can we not just get a pastor to have us say the vows and skip straight to the honeymoon?"

"You just want to skip to the sex."

"Not true. I want to skip to the part you're officially mine and no one can argue, and to being alone without interruption."

"We're always alone."

"With the possibility of someone intruding. It would be nice to spend some moments in peace."

"Hmm...can't argue there."

The room was spinning at this point, and stealing a glance at Akito, I couldn't help nearly swooning at how devilishly handsome he was. This low, orange lighting always accented his best features, from his messy inky hair to his perfect facial structure to his warm, dark, exotic eyes. The way he was staring at me with heat behind those magnificent orbs made the embers in my gut explode into a bonfire. I knew that look... He wanted me, and the alcohol made resisting nearly futile. "You're staring. Again." His words weren't light in jest this time... This time, they were nearly a purr.

"Same reason as last time."

"Is that so? You don't have to settle for staring. You can touch to your little heart's consent."

Clinging to the last drop of my sanity, I cleared my throat and stood, my mind swimming from the wine and making walking to the fridge difficult. "Right now... I just need something cold..." My body was feverish and uncomfortably warm. My skin was tight and suffocating, and I was in desperate need of something to cool it down.

"I don't think it's cold you need." His tease from the table was quickly followed by a snicker as I retrieved a glass from the cabinet and poured me some ice water.

"Oh shush..." Taking a greedy drink of the tasteless but so good fluid, I was taken aback when firm hands pulled me against a tall form.

"I think... You need something that can't be drank."

The cooling effect of the cold liquid was immediately nulled, and my body tensed as I fought with everything I had not to give in so easily.

"Pervert."

"Not a pervert, just a man with a need for the woman he's chosen to keep by his side." I turned in his hold, glaring up at him in a half assed sneer.

"A man who needs to learn to control his desires."

"You're the one who was staring at me."

Forcing myself free from his embrace, I made my way towards the table. My brain was failing to come up with retorts to his antics, and all I wanted was to use this water to cool off before-

"Oh my, what's this?" I glanced over my shoulder, my teeth clenching in embarrassment as he straightened from bending down, the package I had concealed held between two of his slender fingers.

"Th...that's just-" A wicked smirk spelled the death of me before I was suddenly lifted off of the floor.

"I know exactly what it is." He set me down on the counter, wasting no time settling between my thighs. "After all of your teasing and denial tonight, this was certainly unexpected. But, it would seem..." His free hand supported him against the counter as he leaned closer to me, that smirk of his growing as he lifted my discovered secret closer to his face. "Someone," Using his teeth, he created a small rip in the wrapper, and the darkness in his eyes grew with every second that passed. "had plans for tonight."

"I..." Fighting for something to say, my words failed me as I cast my eyes downward and my body quivered, but not out of fear. My mind was a jumbled mess without the alcohol mixed in. I wasn't sure if I was ready for this or not, and it certainly wasn't how I expected to reveal it to him.

His sly grin faded into a softer smile, his hand without the offending object moving to stroke my cheek. His gentle touch eased some of my worry, but I still couldn't lift my gaze to meet his.

"If you don't want to, we don't have to. I told you, it's only when you're ready. I won't lie and say I don't feel that intense desire to make you mine, but I won't force you into a decision."

"Well... It's not so much I'm not ready..."

"You're nervous."

Unable to reply, I only nodded. That was exactly what it was... That misgiving, that unease...

"And you wanted to wait until marriage."

How could he see through me as though I was transparent? I wasn't an open book, I kept my guard up as well as I could. How did he... "Hai..."

"Then why did you even buy these?" His voice wasn't angry, or even a little annoyed. Even in my tipsy state, I knew that tone was concern mixed with genuine confusion.

"Well..." I forced myself to stop hiding from his perception and lifted my face, meeting his eyes. The dark obsidian that had been accented with the most sinful of desires had warmed into an admiring silver, their depths flickering only a few sparks of want among the many flares of attachment. "I... I know you've been wanting it and..."

"If it's only out of guilt, I don't want it. I only want it to be when you yourself are ready and desire me as well."

I shook my head, continuing. Somehow, this conversation and the way he was gently regarding me was sobering my mind little by little. "I also... Want you to prove to me that... I want to feel how much you care about me... I know that makes no sense but-"

"No." He bent his head to gently kiss my cheek, his hand retreating to rest on my waist. "It makes perfect sense. Especially given the events of today. It would bring me great pleasure to prove just how deeply rooted this...attachment is embedded and that I see you as an individual worthy of devotion, and that I would never treat you as that scum did. But that said, you must truly be prepared. It's not something you can pretend didn't happen and run away from in the morning. Are you really ready to give yourself to me, and receive me in turn?"

As he waited patiently for my response, he trailed a line of kisses down my throat, pulling my kimono apart just enough so he could place one on the hollow at the base of my neck. I thought deeply over his words as heat began to swirl within me. There was no doubting what my body sought, needed. But... Was I ready to surrender myself to these aching impulses? This yearning to accept the man who was so delicately handling me despite the complete ability to maim me as he had others, or at the very least hold me still while he relieved himself, the man who protected me against my worst fear without a moment of hesitation, the man who had chosen me out of all people to lawfully wed, the man... Who spoke honestly with his promises to wait until I was ready and truly seemed to cherish me...

When his hand coaxed more of my robe apart, he furthered his line of affection down my chest, and as such sent the final warm tingles of craving into my stomach and had me succumbing to his caring touch. "Just... Not here..."

There was an audible hitch of breath as his body went rigid before moving further between my thighs. He released a strangled hush of air as he lifted his head to meet my eyes, and the fire burning in them was almost unbearably intimidating against my bundled nerves. "You... You're going to have me wait, knowing you're willing and ready?" His voice was teasing, but the heat in his eyes and the gruff sound behind his voice certainly wasn't.. Nor was his body.

"Oh don't be so whiny... I'll make you wait months..."

"Fair enough. Let's go then."

It wasn't long before she was trapped under him, or really, trapped was a strong word. If she wanted out of his hold, he'd let her go without resistance. But right now he was enjoying this shared moment of tenderness. He had been smart enough to snatch a broom from the supply closet down the hall to hold the door shut, so he and the woman receiving his gentle kisses and caresses as he rid her of clothing had no concerns about being interrupted. He didn't know what to expect tonight, nor was he sure he could execute the action properly, but he was sure no matter what transpired he'd go to sleep happy and cradling her close. Just the mere fact she let him get this far was enough. But as her hands timidly shook as she pulled his own clothing away, he knew this wasn't going to be its limit.

She tensed in pain at first, her hand curling in front of her mouth as she bit her index finger to halt the cry he was sure was tickling the back of her throat and begging to be set free. That feeling of self-condemnation and reproach was nearly suffocating as he did his best to alleviate her ache. Many feather-light kisses covered her skin, until she finally told him to "get on with it" and they'd be there forever otherwise.

By the end, he was thankful her rigidity had lessened and she even let out the smallest of sounds on occasion... But wanting to make things fair, he had made sure she got her fair share before he let himself give in and collapse in a breathless heap.

Once he 'cleaned up,' he pulled her into his chest and wasn't surprised by the speed at which sleep overtook her. With her snuggled comfortably against him and her even breaths brushing against his sweaty naked chest, he himself felt the lull of rest calling his name. It had been awkward, messy, and tiring, but he would be lying to say he wouldn't sleep fully satisfied. He wouldn't have had his first encounter any other way.

AN: That last scene...surprisingly difficult! xD before this I had never written a first person POV, much less a uh... sensual first person. I watered it down but I will say I'm leaving this chapter with a red face and shame.

Okay, vent time. Feel free to ignore this.

The fact I actually got to writing this at all is a miracle because whilst writing, I found a rip off of this story and it rightfully pissed me off. Especially given said story was extremely short in comparison without development but had somehow racked up more popularity than this one. I don't care much for numbers, but it's irritating how this is the trend with every other field I dabble in. I just never expected it to reach my fanfiction too. But thankfully it's been sorted out and the rip off was taken down, but still.

When I spend a lot of time developing characters so they actually make a good match - in my opinion - and someone just cheats off my work... Needless to say it took a lot for me not to just delete my entire account. It made me really think "maybe I'm just embarrassing myself with this fic if so many people think they can improve it with their own oc" "maybe that's why my numbers are always so low".

And the hate I get in my inbox "Akito would never want someone like Amethyst" "anyone's better than amethyst" "my oc would be a better match delete it"... Get a freaking life. Don't read it then. No one's holding a gun to your head making you read my work. Your messages are just deleted anyway, so why bother?