It was the soft touch against her cheek that woke her this time. She knew it was him before her eyes even opened, and when they did they met his light brown ones. They shared a soft smile as his thumb still ran along her cheek.

"We're leaving soon." He told her. "I just wanted to see you before we go."

She knew it was coming, but found that she really didn't want it too now. "How soon?" She asked quietly, worry now filling her. Because she knew what he would be going up against. This had been the whole reason behind them coming here after all.

"Still a few hours yet before it's time. But I wanted to spend them with you."

Her hand covered his that was still on her cheek as her gaze never left his. "So soon? I had hoped to be able to join you."

"I know."

Needing him so much at the moment, she reached out a hand and pulled on his harness and he came down and pressed his lips against hers. She didn't want this to end, wanted time to stop. She didn't want him to go... Tears began to fill her eyes as everything that could happen out there flooded her mind.

She pulled away from him, her lip trembling as she tried to control those fears. "Finally able to show you how I feel, and now I might lose you to him."

"But at least you now know for sure, there won't ever be that doubt in you."

"Still...I...I...can't lose you now." It was then she knew. She had to show him what he meant to her, she wanted to be close to him but might never get the chance again. Lotus fought through her rising embarrassment for even saying this in such an abrupt fashion, not sure how it would be received. "I want you." She finally whispered out. "Just one time before you go..."

The pure shock in his face told her how much he wasn't expecting that. "Lotus, no...you are in no condition..."

"Then be gentle, My Master." She fought back the tears again as she fully made what she was offering clear. "I am still a virgin. I never found anyone worthy of the right to take it from me. Then I realised it was you that I wanted to have the honor...and I may not get another chance to give it to you. Maybe in this way you will have something of me to take with you..." The sheer astonishment on his face made her worry that maybe she had pushed too hard, but she so dearly wanted him to have this privilege. And she wanted to feel him one time...just one time... "Please..."

She could feel him begin to tremble as he looked at her a long while, swallowing hard a few times as as his mind tried to figure out how to deal with this. He actually startled her when his harness came off and the katanas crashed to the floor with a clatter, followed by the rest of his warlike gear. Then he came in and crushed his lips to hers.

She returned the kiss just as hard, her arms wrapping themselves around his neck as she fully gave herself to him. Her mouth opened wider and his tongue came in and met hers. For the first time in her life she felt the slow ache of wanting as he softly and slowly ran his hand under the blanket and down her side. A moan escaped her mouth and into his.

Leonardo pulled away from her so he could remove that cloth barrier that hid her from him and she laid there fully exposed since she had nothing to wear. Her clothing had all been ruined and the only thing now covering her was the bandages covering her massive wound. His breath caught in his throat as he looked her over, but she wasn't ashamed that he saw her this way. Lotus had wanted him to see her for a long time...now it was happening. Her own breathing was heavy with nervous anticipation as she waited for him. The ache in her lower body grew as his eyes seemed to be caught on her body.

The wait didn't last long. Her legs were spread and she watched as he lowered his head to her mound, not quite sure what to expect. A new feeling shot through her as she felt the first gentle touches of his lips against her. Never had Lotus felt something like this before and a gasp escaped her stunned lips. And when he pushed his tongue against her the feeling intensified. Her eyes closed as she moaned, she couldn't hold it in if she tried.

Lotus couldn't control herself. A woman who was always in control was now helpless as he continued to please her. Her fingers dug into the bed sheets under her as her pelvis pushed against him, wanting so much more from him. He answered that by gently inserting a finger inside her which raised the intensity and her hips began to move as if they had a mind of their own. He just held them still as her head whipped back and forth on the pillows, trying to release the pressure that was slowly starting to build within her. She was so close to...something. She just knew she wanted to feel it. "Leonardo..." she breathed "Oh Leonardo..." as her body struggled to find the release it was now badly wanting.

He didn't give it. Instead he removed his hand and brought himself over her again before bringing his head in for another, hungry, kiss. Her hands moved over his body, taking it all in. His muscles, his rough skin intrigued her as her hand wandered. She felt them both before, during training and missions, but now they felt so much different under her fingertips. Lotus ran into the barrier of his pants and began to process of removing that last thing that stood in their way. Once they had been dealt with, her hand wandered even further down but stopped in confusion when she couldn't find what should be there.

He smiled at her after pulling away from her kiss. "Let me show you." Came the soft whisper in her ear as his hand guided her. Once the hands reached an area that felt...different he pushed her hand down hard on that spot. She was stunned by the reaction to that. A peculiar sound came from him, a trilling noise, as his head dropped to her shoulder. Never had she heard him make that sound before, but took it to be a good thing. She brushed against him again and was rewarded with the same sound, louder this time. Lotus, now growing more confident, kept stroking him as his own breathing picked up. Finally something warm and heavy fell into her palm and he moaned loudly as a shudder raced over his body. She was a bit nervous on how big it was, then she firmly pushed the feeling away. Except for the pain she knew that came with losing her virginity she knew he wouldn't hurt her, not her Leonardo.

"Master..." She said softly. "I am ready."

"I told you, I'm not your master anymore." He gently reminded her.

"Yes, you are. You are the Master of my heart...I love you...I've always loved you..."

His eyes softened at those words and he lowered himself between her legs, then slid his forearms under her shoulder blades. He was so close to her, chest touching chest, as he slowly pushed into her. Her eyes grew wide as he filled her, pleasure grew as her body adjusted around him. Then he paused as he looked deep into her eyes. "I'm sorry, my love...this may hurt..."

Lotus only managed a nod as he still held her eyes. Then he thrust in, hard. She cried out as pain filled her for a moment. His arm tightened around her as she did and he brought his head close to hers. "I'm sorry..." He whispered in her ear as he held her close to him.

The pain quickly subsided however and she felt the renewed need again and she moved her pelvis against him. His response was almost immediate as he thrust into her again. Lotus' world was turned upside down with what he was doing inside of her. The pain was quickly forgotten as she felt him move against her. Pleasure was all she felt now as he pushed in her, again and again. His now heavy breathing warmed her neck as he kept his movements going and her body ached for more as her legs wrapped around him. Her whimpers and moans filled the air as he kissed her neck. She lost herself in his embrace, felt safe in his arms, and felt his love as he pushed on. This was more than she had ever hoped for, wished for it countless times and now it was happening.

She felt the beginning of another sensation begin to build in her. Her legs tightened around him even as her moans became more desperate. Even the her lower body seemed to clamp against his member as it intensified. He quickened the pace now, his own need echoing from him as he churred again and again. Their breathing was rapid pants now. His arms tightened around her to hold her still to keep her from aggravating her injury even as he, pushing in hard, made her fall over that edge.

Her head slammed into the pillow as ecstasy hit her, her body tensed and tightened as the waves washed over her. "I love you!" Was ripped from her throat as he thrust again, churring loudly as she felt him fill her. "Leonardo...I love you..." She gasped as her body went limp under him, breathing heavily.

Nothing but love and wonder filled her now as he looked into her eyes. "I love you." He whispered to her before placing a soft kiss on her lips. "Are you alright?"

"More than you could ever know..." Was the reply. "It was...how I dreamed it would be." Better even than how she had dreamed it would be, because this wasn't a dream. It was real.

"At least I could make that come true for you." He was still leaning over her on his elbows, and he seemed content to stay there. They softly kissed for awhile, each taking comfort in the presence of the other as they reinforced the feelings they shared. Soon enough not even those strong feelings could keep the exhaustion she now felt at bay and she soon drifted off.

It was the movement on the bed that woke her again. He was getting up, and he was rearming himself. He had apparently already redressed while she slept. Again the fears washed over her as she watched her lover get ready. Once he was done Leonardo walked over to her and placed another kiss against her lips.

"Please, come back to me." She whispered.

"I will do everything I can to make sure I do." He kissed her again. "I now have someone to love waiting for me to return."

He brushed her cheek gently one last time, then turned and walked towards the door. Once there he paused and looked back at her. "I love you, Lotus. I love you so much. Never forget that." Then he was gone and she was alone in the room.

Lotus stared at that closed door a long, very long, while, holding back her fears and her worries. But in the end they finally won out and she began to cry. "Please be careful..." She whispered out as the first tears made their way down her face. "Please..."