Disclaimers; yes, I have them.

Chapter Twenty-Four: Crystal Castle: Part Two

Makoto expected Kasha would head back down the ramp to the first floor. She was quite surprised when the attendant proceeded to walk away from the ramp, instead she continued down the hallway in the direction they had originally taken. They proceeded past quite a few doors before passing through an archway into another room which Makoto gathered was the dining chamber. A round table, smaller than the council room's table by a few feet was placed in the middle of the room. It was surrounded by wooden chairs with comfortable looking red cushion seats. But what really got her attention was the fact that the table was currently laden with a feast.

Delicious smells wafted from the table. A large roasted hen had been placed in the center. There were two kinds of salad, one consisting of leafy greens and the small purple fruits and another of smaller leaves and what appeared to be chick peas and brown beans. Soup in grapefruit sized bowls made of mushroom and fish awaited spoons to dip into their broth. There was also a basket of freshly baked bread, and smaller rolls; their tops littered with sweet yellow berries the size of raisins. Makoto's stomach rumbled loudly as the scents hit her nostrils and she began to salivate.

"I do hope this suffices. Since it's so late the cooks didn't have enough time to prepare a proper meal," Kasha said before they were seated.

"What do you mean this isn't a proper meal? There's so much food! And it all looks incredible!" Makoto retorted as they drew close to the table.

Ami sat to her right, the Healer responding to the competent squire, "Thank you, Kasha, this is more than enough." And indeed it was. By Makoto's estimation it was enough food to feed ten people. She added her thanks to Ami's.

"Wonderful, Mizuno-shi, Kino-shi, the cooks will be pleased to hear that," Kasha smiled and gestured towards the food, "Do help yourselves. If there is anything else you need please don't hesitate to ask."

If there was any conversation Makoto could not recall it. It had been far too long since they had last eaten and even Ami seemed quiet and focused on her plate instead. Every so often Makoto had to stop and moan in appreciation as she tasted something new. And every time she did, a blush appeared on Ami's cheeks. Whenever the Healer's cheeks pinked Makoto made sure to give Ami a quick wicked grin before continuing her meal. Minako, finished with her audience with the Queen happened to come into the chamber during one of those moments. She joined them at the table but not before having a brief whispered conversation with Kasha who nodded smartly. Makoto continued to eat unaware of the moment that transpired between Minako and the attendant.

Halfway through the meal Makoto lifted a spoonful of soup towards her mouth and felt her lids grow heavy. When she came to, her spoon was no longer in her grasp. It had fallen onto her empty plate, clattering loudly. Her soup bowl was empty as well, and placed out of the way in a completely different spot which she had it before. Both Ami and Minako looked at her, the Healer with worry in her eyes while Minako's concern appeared to mask another emotion.

It happened again. I don't remember eating at all but my food is gone. What's happening to me?

"Are you okay Makoto?" Ami asked, placing her own spoon down gently beside her plate.

Makoto chuckled sheepishly to cover the jab of fear in her mid-section. The warm, almost full feeling of having food in her belly had transformed into an uncomfortably stuffed sensation complete with sudden nausea, "Sorry, I'm feeling really tired now that I have food in me. I guess I must have fallen asleep for a minute there. "

Ami didn't appear convinced, the smaller woman looked at her searchingly before nodding,"Yes, it's been a very long day."

-x-x-x-

They were taken up to the sixth floor where elegant yet subtle guest rooms awaited their party. Ami wasn't sure but she expected they would be assigned separate rooms. Therefore she was quite surprised when Kasha stopped in front of one of the doors along the curving hallway.

"Please forgive my lack of foresight , I did not realize you are new spirit-mates," Kasha apologized as she opened the door to the chamber. A large canopy bed dominated the room and drew Ami's attention immediately. Her jaw dropped and a soundless squeak of mortification might have escaped. A mirror and a wooden armoire sat to the right of the bed. Two bouquets of fresh flowers placed upon the night tables flanking the bed emitted a sweet, honeyed but not overpowering scent. The walls were pale like the rest of the castle and seemed to glow due to the firelight in the sconces. An archway to the left opened out to a chamber half the bedroom size. "I hope this room is suitable for the two of you. " Ami blushed fiercely.

"Spirit-wha?" Makoto blinked as she caught and stumbled on the term.

"I-it's what you say when there is a recognition and c-consummation of two u-united souls." Ami stuttered in explanation.

Makoto blinked and gestured between herself and Ami. The Healer nodded shyly.

"Like a pledge of marriage?" Makoto confirmed.

Ami nodded again, somehow comprehending the foreign word Makoto used. Though she had never heard it before she understood innately that it carried the same weight and connotation as spirit-mate.

"Oh..." The Traveler fell silent along with the Healer.

Ami's cheeks flushed with hotness as the word consummation echoed in her head.

"Ah-before I forget, there is also a change of clothing for both of you in the armoire," Kasha mentioned. The attendant bid them goodnight, Minako following her to her own quarters. The blonde glancing back long enough to send a wink and wave at the two quiet women. Now it made perfect sense why Kasha called them spirit-mates; it had been Minako's doing. Makoto seemed alert and strangely tense beside her. Ami was feeling rather tense as well, there was a spring coiled in her belly and sooner or later it would fling itself apart. As The attendant and Minako's footsteps receded there was absolute quiet except for the low splash of water emerging from the next chamber.

But then her heartbeat drowned it out.

-x-x-x-

The smaller connecting chamber turned out to be a luxurious sunken bath of carved stone. Steam hung over the bath and Ami was reminded of the fact she was covered in sweat and grit.

"All right! Now this is what I am talking about!" Makoto crowed excitedly as she quickly unbuckled the scabbard hanging from her waist. Maybe the Traveler had momentarily forgotten the awkwardness from a few minutes ago after the door was closed. Or maybe she's pretending to ignore it, Ami thought. Then again Makoto does not seem to care about me seeing her naked. She flashed back to the time she had shown the brunette the waterfall near her cottage.

Makoto does not care about the nudity but I do!

They had kissed. They had eaten together. They even slept in bed together. But it was the first time they were taking a bath together and being naked in such close proximity was proving too unnerving for the Healer. She was hesitant to undress in front of Makoto lest the woman found her lacking somehow. Her anxiety probably revealed itself because when Makoto looked back at her the excitement on the Traveler's face had dimmed. Tanned hands over the belt buckle paused mid-motion.

"Er-Ami, do you want to go in first? I don't mind waiting," Makoto said generously with an understanding smile.

Ami felt her heart swell at the woman's kindness. They both had an incredibly long day and she knew the brunette must feel just as tired yet she was willing to delay sleep to save Ami discomfort. Ami shook her head, a smile of gratitude blossoming on her lips. No matter how self-conscious she felt she could not allow Makoto to make such a sacrifice.

"It is really kind of you to offer, but there is no need to wait. The bath is big enough for the both of us," Ami responded. She removed her scabbard as well, placing the item next to Makoto's

Makoto's smile was as gentle as the caress Ami felt on the left side of her face, "Okay."

They undressed without a word, Ami finding herself unable to look away from Makoto's form. Lean muscles flexed under sun-tanned skin. As she removed her own clothing she could feel the heat of Makoto's unabashed staring. Her pale skin flushed but she continued to undress. She was the first one to enter the bath, the heated water causing her to involuntarily sigh in pleasure as she sunk up to her shoulders. Makoto followed her a moment after, having to wriggle out of the tight brown breeches took longer unlike Ami simply stepping out of her skirt.

Ami couldn't help but notice the water only came up to the swell of the brunette's breasts. Her eyes swung up to Makoto's face and found the woman gazing at her once more. There was a lingering air of expectancy and Ami could not calm her heartbeat. She had felt Makoto's body pressed against hers, she had even kissed the woman back with ardor. So why was she so nervous now?

"Ami-may I kiss you?" Makoto's voice was suddenly husky. Needy.

The Healer nodded, unable to verbally respond past the lump in her throat but wanting to. Makoto drew closer, creating small waves that splashed against their bodies. The kiss was soft, almost hesitant. Disappointment came to her when Makoto pulled away. Under the water, Makoto's hands lightly grasped her arms before they glided up to Ami's shoulders.

"You're so beautiful, you know, all of you," Makoto whispered, green eyes filled with desire looked into hers.

A soft smile grew on Ami's lips and her hands reached out for Makoto, "You are too, Makoto. I've thought so from the very moment I first laid eyes on you."

A happy smile perched itself on Mako's face before she captured Ami's lips again. This time there was no hesitation, just want, desire and a building heat deep inside her. Ami gave willingly, surrendering all of herself as Makoto ravaged her mouth and pressed their bodies together. The brunette finally drew back, her chest heaving as she regained her breath. However her hands continued to roam over Ami's body.

Ami's breath rushed out past trembling lips as Makoto's fingers traced a delicate path over her collarbones before trailing lower. Makoto's gaze was too intense as emerald eyes focused on hers then down to Ami's lips, dropping to the arch of her neck before once more sweeping back up to Ami's eyes. Her eyelids drifted closed; it was too much to take in. She was having a sensory overload. Her breathy moans sounded too loud in the bath chamber, echoing over the soft almost stream-like gurgling of water that flowed from the wall along a small aqueduct into the large bath.

Makoto's lips captured hers just as Ami felt a thumb brush over the hardened peak of her breast. Her lips parted and she welcomed the woman's tongue with her own. It was too much, it was too fast and yet she couldn't seem to stop herself. Didn't want to stop herself or Makoto. She wasn't going to think but give into the feelings the brunette evoked and coaxed out of her.

-x-x-x-

The woman beneath her spasmed, loud gasps giving way to harsh pants in an effort to breath. Minako smiled down at Misha, and the castle worker slipped her hands into the blonde's tresses and pulled her down for a kiss. Minako rolled over in the bed, Misha now on top of her. Their lips parted, Minako's cerulean eyes gazing up into Misha's. Hopefully the woman knew what she was hinting at and Minako was thrilled to see she would not be left disappointed.

Misha kissed her chin, then trailed lower. This time it was Minako's breathy moans that filled the chamber. Her distraction-if only for a few hours-served to push aside worries regarding the Soka Bogs, the Queen's lack of information and the missing Star Gazer, and even Makoto's strange behavior.

To be continued.