Tenseiga didn't work on the first try.
"Maybe it wasn't repaired properly," Towa thought at first.
Surely, even the finest sword-smith couldn't do a good job of it in such a short time.
After multiple tries, however, self-doubt took over.
Towa wasn't really sure what she was doing wrong, but she kept cutting the air above her sister with shaking limbs and increased desperation. The same move she has seen Sesshomaru use a few hours earlier. Nothing happened. Another swipe of the blade over the lifeless body - nothing.
She collapsed next to Setsuna in exhaustion and terror. She felt like a failure not only for her inability to protect Setsuna, but because she let Sesshomaru down as well.
Towa didn't know how long she was lying there in the rain, her heart bleeding with sorrow, mind clouded by regret - it could have been hours or minutes. After a while she found strength in reserves she did not realise she had. She simply couldn't let things end this way, surely there must be a reason Sesshomaru - her father - trusted her with his sword.
She jumped to her feet and turned around, only to see Moroha lying at the edge of the crater, grasping Kirara's fur for comfort. She was sobbing audibly, exhaustion clear on her stretched-out form. Towa was suddenly scared again, that she couldn't live up to the responsibility bestowed upon her. She took a deep breath and tried to zone out. Her eyes shut and focussed on the calming, even sound of the pouring rain.
Guilt set heavily on her slouched shoulders - the kind that would stay with her for years after this day, regardless if she succeeded or didn't. She found the downpour was a blessing, masking the tears Setsuna would surely berate her for.
"Just breathe," she whispered to herself as the pain in her chest eased a little.
Towa stood like this for a long moment, clutching Tenseiga, eyes closed, fighting to quiet the sounds of her mind – at least she couldn't hear Moroha's cries anymore. Towa only opened her eyes when the rain stopped and she felt an unexpected calmness overcome her from the sight in front.
He was standing there with her. Not a scratch on his face and body, not a hair out of place, his armour polished almost as if it was new. He truly must be one of the most powerful Youkai Lords out there, if he was able to heal so quickly. She didn't have it in her to fight him again, and he didn't seem to want to attack, either. Kirinmaru stood next to her in silence, looking down at Setsuna's motionless body as if he himself was bereft.
Towa averted her gaze from him, and only now did she realise that the rain did not stop, but time froze again - just like when Sesshomaru appeared. She gasped in disbelief and suddenly felt angry again. She wanted, at least, to say something to hurt him, now that physically she was unable to fight any longer, but she was interrupted by his movement as he turned to her expectantly.
"Try again."
His voice was calm and soft, similar to when he said his goodbyes only moments ago.
Towa, as if she was bewitched or under a spell, clasped her fingers tighter around Tenseiga's hilt, and cut the air above her sister. Nothing.
"Again," he demanded, but once again nothing happened.
He was watching her pensively, clearly deliberating what to say next.
"Do you see what you are cutting or are you just cutting for the sake of it? Focus!"
Towa obeyed, unsure on what she should focus on, letting even her worst enemy down with her ineptitude. Nothing happened. She expected him to mock her, but Kirinmaru looked at her with a sad smile as her tears started to fall again.
He stepped towards her and Towa took a step back.
"Do not come any closer!" she screamed and reached for Kikujumonji with her left hand, holding Tenseiga in her right.
"Towa," his voice was lacking any anger or hatred and that confused her. Was he chiding her?
"Do you not see the undertakers of the Netherworld?"
"The what?"
She inhaled, taking another step back cautiously as he continued to approach.
"As I thought. Heart, skill, strength…," he started to say but didn't finish.
"You are the reason she is dead, and, yet, you are mocking me!?"
She ignited Kikujumonji with unexpected vigour as he chuckled at her.
"Let me show you," his voice hardened suddenly, and he was behind her before her eyes registered his movement.
Kirinmaru clasped his hand around hers on the hilt, Towa wanted to tear herself away but he was much stronger than her so it was all in vain. She struggled a bit more, but ceased her efforts when Tenseiga started to pulsate in their joint hands and omitted a light blue light.
"Do you see them now?" he asked quietly.
She bowed her head.
"Cut them down," he whispered into her ear.
They swung Tenseiga in the air together, and cut through the strange green creatures with one sweeping motion.
Kirinmaru gasped audibly when he heard Setsuna's low, slow heartbeat picking up against her sister's loud and erratic one. He dropped the hand he was still holding as if it was burning him when Setsuna's eyes fluttered.
The first thing Towa noticed was the lack of warmth as the rain started to fall. Then she heard Setsuna calling her name weakly, and all was forgotten.
*HSS*
Setsuna recovered pretty fast, but the guilt didn't leave Towa so easily. Rationally she knew her sister didn't blame her. Death is a part of life and warriors embrace it as such. They prepare for it to strike them down at any moment, it's a life lived at the edge of a blade. As time went on, Towa increasingly felt like the useless sister, a burden to everyone. Setsuna admitted that her memories returned to her after her first full demonic transformation and the appearance of her blood-blade. This made Towa angry but she never spoke about it in fear of alienating her sister even more. Surely if Setsuna really cared about her, she would have said something and wouldn't have engaged in that pointless fight with Kirinmaru. Her proud little sister never explained her reasons behind the fight, while Towa's aim was restoring her memories.
She wandered with Moroha, Setsuna and the slayers aimlessly for weeks, defeating demons who pestered humans here and there. The butterfly was no longer her target after her sister's revelation, even if she still couldn't sleep. Towa accepted it as a fact of her life - after all, this is what Setsuna knew growing up, and her powers weren't affected by it.
Towa couldn't help herself but feel lost between her two worlds. She wasn't sure what she was fighting for, anymore, and bounty was never a good enough reason for her to kill anyone. She realised that both Moroha and Setsuna were much better fighters than she was, who used to win by brute force and not by skill. She was often outmanoeuvred and outsmarted during their practices. Towa knew she was a failure in every aspect.
Maybe he was right after all, and she was lacking… All she wanted was for this feeling to vanish.
One night, she was wandering alone in the forest near Kaede's village, pondering over everything that happened. Towa couldn't help herself but gaze up at the starry sky from time to time, remembering her conversation with Riku about Kirinmaru who liked to do the same.
Winter fireflies caught her attention, and her heart skipped a beat. She hid in the moonlight shadow of a tall tree instinctively.
Could Riku be near? Was she excited to see him or scared of being attacked?
After all, he just disappeared without a word, and he clearly was on Zero's side who wanted them all dead. Adrenaline pumped in her veins and she could feel sweat breaking at the small of her back as she reached for Kikujumonji and ignited it. She followed the fireflies without taking a breath. They led her to the Tree of Ages. Towa let down her sword when she realised she was alone, and as an answer to all her prayers, a portal was open.
Her mind was made up in an instant – she wanted to return to Tokyo. She wanted to continue her life there for the time being. Until she was needed again. She hoped she would be... but now she longed to be with Sota-papa, Moe and her little sister Mei. At least she could still look at her with trust and be the sister she clearly could not be for Setsuna.
She broke out in a run, collecting her belongings from Kaede's hut with lightning speed. Her farewell was brief, only a few words and a couple of quick hugs exchanged before she stepped through the portal in the Tree – she will return soon after all.
*HSS*
It didn't take Towa long to realise that the problem wasn't the feudal era and their old-fashioned customs, but herself. The guilt she felt was eating her away even in this era and she visited the Higurashi shrine every day religiously. She was just looking at the Tree, willing it into submission, but the portal didn't open for weeks, and Towa started to give up the hope that she will see her family again. What made the experience even more painful was, that she couldn't decide if she was sad or relieved.
Towa barely spoke to anyone anymore, she couldn't even open up to her adoptive family, and soon her grades started to suffer – and this was when she noticed the first change. One day, her English teacher Osamu Kirin held her back after class.
The sun was filtering in gently through the large classroom windows, and she felt angry out of nowhere. Angry for being caught out. Angry that he will tell her that she failed. She was just angry full stop. As Towa's temper rose, she found it increasingly hard to control herself. Her teacher still did not say anything, he was just circling her slowly as she stood in the middle of the room and she suddenly felt like a small animal being measured up by a predator. She decided to focus on the sound of his shiny leather shoes hitting the wood board below them, and she was startled to hear the sound of his voice when he finally spoke.
To Towa's great surprise, he did not tell her off, only quizzed her about what happened to her. Did her grades suffer because she didn't keep up with homework during her illness? Didn't she get enough support from her classmates and family?
She shrugged off his questions with brief answers and he let her go home without pushing any further.
Towa thought she got away with it easily, and vowed to herself to study harder, so she was surprised when Kirin started to hold her back after classes every day. She was irritated at first, but over the course of a few weeks, she found it was a welcome distraction. During the months to come, he handed her books he enjoyed about arts, music, engineering, philosophy, mythology, strategy, warfare – from the latter selection her favourite was The Art of War by Sun Tzu.
Then he started to share literature, novels and poetry from different eras, and fully expected her to read the English classics in English.
Slowly but surely, Towa started to feel better about herself. Her grades improved, she exercised regularly, she started to make friends so the after school meetings became less frequent. Kirin still gave her reading assignments which they discussed in follow up meetings but they usually just debated various topics, mercilessly piquing each-other's arguments apart.
After one year in Tokyo, when Towa started to feel like she only dreamt her adventures in the past, she received an unexpected phone-call from Grandpa Higurashi. His news made her excited and nervous at the same time. A portal has opened, and she would be finally able to go back to the past. Her visit went better than Towa expected, and she realised there was no love lost between their trio. She had a wonderful time with Moroha and Setsuna - both of them grew in both height and strength – but after two weeks she was ready to return to Tokyo. She missed her routine. She missed her mentor. Towa went to the Tree of Ages to plead with it, but she found a portal was already open when she arrived.
On the day of her return to school, Osamu Kirin held Towa back again, but instead of asking her questions about her health problems, he just motioned her to follow him to the school gym. He handed her a shinai and took an offensive stance with his in hand. Towa was smiling to herself, but decided to give it a go without tapping into her demonic powers. By the end of the fight she was panting and drenched in sweat, while he hardly broke any. Towa wasn't able to hit him, not even once.
"We will work on this," he said cheerfully as he patted her shoulder. The gesture made her feel warmer than she already was. "Meet me here a week from now. Wear something more suitable for a fight."
And with that, he was gone before she could respond.
*HSS*
Their routine continued like this for the years to come - on Tuesdays, they would debate after the English classes, while on Fridays, they would train. He corrected her stance and technique, and taught her a variety of martial arts from all around the globe. Towa wasn't familiar with most of them, but he instilled their philosophy through books and their use through practice. Master Kirin – as she started to think of him - was a skilled fighter, she hardly managed to catch him off-guard even at times when she was comfortable enough to tap into her Yokai reserves without him noticing. Towa smiled to herself when she thought about how annoyed she was with his meddling at the beginning and now he became her trusted confidant, almost a friend she was looking forward to seeing every day. She longed to be able to tell him, to show him who she really was during their fighting sessions, but she was scared it would upset the balance of whatever this was. She remembered the first time she thought of him as a friend and not as a teacher.
They did not interact much outside their sessions, he was very strict and reserved during their official classes and Towa was careful not to let herself slide into familiarity out of respect for him. It was a sunny Saturday morning, and Towa was browsing in a bookstore, looking for something contemporary to read over the weekend. She came across a collection of poetry from Maya Angelou, and scanned through it quickly. She bought two copies – one for herself and one for Master Kirin. He was delighted when Towa handed him the book, and from then on the exchange kept flowing to both directions. Not long after, Towa started to take pictures of all the things she found thought-provoking during the days they didn't speak, and Kirin soon followed suit. It was exhilarating.
*HSS*
After her first visit, Towa returned to the feudal era during every school holiday. She didn't understand why and how, but the Tree of Ages conveniently allowed her passage each time on the day, after school ended and brought her right back when school was due to start.
She was happy again, even if a bit lonely. All her friends in Tokyo were happily partnered and it wasn't the same to hang out with them as couples. In the feudal era everyone was still occupied with fighting Zero, who seemed to have managed to reabsorb the Rainbow Pearls and her demonic energy - becoming an even more powerful enemy.
Riku appeared by his Madam's side a few times, but Towa was well and truly over her first crush, and wasn't even bothered by his presence.
She only saw Sesshomaru a handful of times, when he usually acknowledged her with a polite nod and not much more. Kirinmaru, however, vanished from the face of the Earth. She ventured to the shore, once, where his ship was docked during their first fight, but it wasn't there anymore.
"Kirinmaru," she whispered his name out loud.
Whatever became of him his emerald green eyes still haunted her dreams. Towa found she couldn't hate him. Maybe it was naive, but she realised he was an honourable warrior, one of those she read so much about in the course of her private lectures with Master Kirin. She couldn't hold a grudge over Setsuna's death, either, – after all, he helped her revive her sister, and if her naginata was in better shape, she probably wouldn't have died at all.
Towa was longing to fight him again. She wasn't looking for him really - they had their hands full with Zero - but she half expected Kirinmaru to appear out of nowhere during her frequent visits to the feudal era, yet he never did. Towa wanted to prove to him her worth, to show him how much she learnt both as a demon and a human - a hanyo he despised.
Heart, skill, strength. All so lacking.
*HSS*
In her final year at school, Towa became restless again. She could sense that something was about to happen, that the ever increasing frequency of encounters with Zero meant something bigger, something inevitable approaching.
Towa decided to go back to the feudal era after her final exams. She would stay for as long as she had to - to defeat Zero for once and for all… and maybe seek out and challenge Kirinmaru.
She started to study spells - Kaede handed her a bunch of books during her spring break visit, and she assumed they were left with the old miko by Sesshomaru, who was still a silent enigma to her. Towa now knew better than to take offence. She knew she was an easy target after all, when Zero tied the two of them together – this was nothing more but an opportunity to better herself.
She read all the theory, of course, but was worried that she had nobody to practice the spells with. Grandpa Higurashi became increasingly frail, and while Towa pondered coming clean to Master Kirin, who surely knows a thing or two about spells too, given he is so knowledgeable, she could not fathom what his reaction would be.
Was she scared to lose him?
*HSS*
Master Kirin invited her to a concert a few weeks before her departure. Well, she wasn't sure if it was him. Someone sent Towa a postcard for her birthday with a ticket to the 140th Subscription Concert in the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall. She expected the mysterious benefactor to await her by her seat, but apparently the whole row was reserved only for her. She spotted him on the second floor of the auditorium, while the Philharmonic Orchestra played Slavonic Dances op. 72: No 2 in E minor by Antonin Dvorak in the background. He looked princely in his tuxedo and against the golden coloured walls. Towa found she couldn't tear her eyes away from him. After a while Master Kirin spotted her too, and gave her a curt nod. She was relieved he was alone and they toasted her 18th birthday with a small glass of champagne during the intermission when he came to find her. Kirin complimented her on her dress, and pinned back a loose strand of hair into her updo before he abruptly excused himself. Towa only dared to look at his direction a few times, and she couldn't see his eyes due to his tinted glasses being on even in the dark.
How ridiculous that he never takes them off.
His body stiffened and she felt instinctively, that he was looking at her now. Towa quickly turned towards the stage, but couldn't help herself but smile.
After that evening their relationship went back to normal. Her only reverie came on Tuesdays and Fridays. Their routine saved her life countless times in the last four years, she was sure of it, and Towa was extremely grateful for his tutelage.
Exams were over before she knew it, so their sessions had to come to an end. She was pleased she passed all her tests with flying colours and so was her family, yet she was bereft. This was to be her last training session with Master Kirin. They agreed to meet on the grounds, as she planned to depart immediately after their meeting. Towa already said goodbye to her family and brought her trekking essential with her that she laid against the bark of the Tree of Ages. She was surprised to see that he brought two katanas with him instead of the shinais.
"As this is our last time, I want you to not to hold back," he said cheerfully.
"I don't think this is a good idea, Master Kirin," she said sadly as she looked up at her opponent.
Towa wanted to look him in the eyes to find the strength she needed to come clean at least during her final farewell, but he was wearing his impenetrable glasses again. She couldn't even tell what colour his eyes were after four years… and it suddenly drew on her that she has never seen his eyes.
"It's getting dark and there are no lights in the garden, maybe you would be better off, if you took your glasses off. That is, if you really want me not to hold back at all," she smiled sheepishly.
"Some warriors put handicaps on themselves in order to have more intense battles," he chuckled as her face went red.
So even Master Kirin doesn't think her a worthy opponent.
She couldn't blame him. During all these years of practice, she managed to land a few hits, but never defeated him.
"Fine," she bowed and took her stance.
Towa decided to reveal her true self in her farewell. If this was to be the highpoint of the last four years, she shall mark it as such.
Kirin stood in front of her, back straight, waiting for her to attack.
Their fight was more intense this time. Towa was tapping into her demonic energy more and more as her frustration grew at the fact that she couldn't defeat him even now. He seemed to be enjoying himself as his smug smile intensified with her every deflected blow. The scenery changed without Towa noticing, now they were fighting in the darkness under the trees of an endless forest and not on the grounds so familiar to her in Tokyo. Kirin could smell Kaede's village in the distance and he knew Towa wouldn't as her sense of smell was still dull from so many years of living in a city polluted by scents.
"You are not going to defeat me tonight," he chuckled.
Towa was starting to get frustrated, but focussed all her energy into her next move. He deflected her attack with ease. A strange calm took her over as she decided to give it her all. Their fight intensified even more, but he still countered all her attacks and fought back with increased vigour.
"Focus. I've told you to not hold back!" he screamed at her as she jumped up in the air to take him from above.
He easily pushed her back.
"Have I taught you nothing Towa!? Heart, skill, strength, all so lacking!"
Those words. She was angry now, beyond all reason, that he was mocking her.
He, of all people, should know how far she had come. Towa saw red. She wasn't using Kikujumonji, yet she could feel her Yoki soaking into the blade of the katana. He was laughing at her, when the Twin Azure Dragon Wave seeped out of her blade. His hair seemed all red in the blue light, but she barely registered it. His form was unwavering as he held her attack back with his palm. She made an unexpected swipe up, and cut his cheek just below his glasses.
Towa could smell the blood before she saw him clutching his face in the shadows. She still hasn't registered what happened. Without thinking, she threw the katana to the ground and got him to sit down by the bark of a tree.
"I am sorry. I will patch you up."
"It is not necessary," he said in a low voice that was familiar but wasn't exactly like Master Kirin's. Towa didn't think to stop, however, and proceeded to get a first aid kit from her backpack. She reached for his glasses when he caught her wrist.
"Don't," he said softly. "No need to fuss. It is just a tiny cut."
"Don't be silly, sir, let me at least have a proper look at it, I will drive you to the hospital if you need stitches," she reprimanded him, and he let go of her hand. Towa removed his glasses without thinking, and he moved his injured cheek towards her. His eyes were shut, his expression was peaceful and she felt her pulse going up.
"You will need to step into the light, so I can examine you, sir.
He stood up, and stepped out of the shadow of the tree as she leaned closer to him. He had a scar on his face but it looked as if it was already closing up. She couldn't smell the blood anymore.
The moonlight shone on his face, giving it a silvery glow as he turned back to face her, eyes still shut. This was the first time she could look at him, really look at him from up close as another human being, and not as her mentor and friend. She could feel her heart beating in her throat. She wasn't sure why, she wasn't sure how, but she knew. Towa reached out to touch his face. She gasped when he clutched her wrist again.
"I think it must have been just a superficial injury," she whispered, and knew immediately that he registered the lie, yet gracefully didn't comment on it.
"Master Kirin… Open your eyes," she said to encourage herself rather than to encourage him.
She knew. Realisation was dawning on her, and she shivered as he was now holding both of her hands in his.
"Towa," he said her name on that voice, the voice that bewitched her once again.
"Open your eyes," she pleaded with him, desperate to see something else than emerald green when he finally complied to her request.
Towa couldn't speak. Tears left her eyes involuntarily, and she wasn't sure if she was crying because she was angry and betrayed or because she was pleased. He opened his eyes slowly, daring a look at her, and he felt himself overcome with emotion he did not dare to express.
"Towa. Please, calm down," he said, clasping her hands a bit tighter.
She looked up at him, eyes full of accusation. She could see Osamu Kirin's face and clothes but shining green eyes looked back at her and red coloured hair cascaded just below his shoulder.
How could she be so blind?
All of a sudden she felt warm, firm lips on hers. She closed her eyes intuitively as he brushed his lips against hers, his tongue gently probing the entrance to her mouth. He pulled away before she could react.
"I can hear your erratic heartbeat. We can talk when you've calmed down," he whispered and dropped her hands.
She looked away from him, up at the crystal clear sky. She could smell the village in the distance. They were in the feudal era again and she didn't even notice.
"Did you do all this to mock me?" her tone was low, but painfully loaded with accusation. "I admit great Lord of the East, that you are far more superior, what more do you want from me?"
Kirinmaru didn't say anything at first, just stood next to her, facing towards the same stars as her. He was happy. Such a weight off his shoulders… and hers. This is who they are.
"I've told you. We are not going to have this conversation unless you calm down. You are no longer a child, stop acting like one," he said quietly.
They stood in silence for a long time, and he only spoke again when her heartbeat became steady and started looking at him curiously.
"I wasn't mocking you. You have everything within you, but you lack conviction. I could train you to be strong, I could hone your skills, I could teach you strategy and spells, but until your heart becomes strong, until you believe in what you do… until you have faith in your actions, you won't be in any shape to fight Zero, let alone defeat her."
"So I am just a pawn in your chess game?"
"Far from it, but she is my sister. Would you have me set you against Setsuna?"
"That's different," she retorted quickly and she immediately knew she sounded silly.
Towa averted her gaze from him. "No, I wouldn't make a move, even if I hated her. I couldn't bring myself to hurt her."
"You know… you couldn't revive her, because you were doubting yourself. How long will you carry this guilt, Towa? You either learn from it and let it go, or let it consume you."
"I suppose you are right. I should thank you for your tutelage, your advice and your… friendship".
"My friendship?" he used the word carefully, and she found it sounded bitter from him.
"I am not your friend."
"My acquaintance then…," she whispered hesitantly, and she hoped he couldn't see her blush. Kirinmaru chuckled as he turned to her, and she realised she liked the sound of his laughter.
"Are you trying to insult me, Lady Towa?"
"Not at all, Lord Kirinmaru," she bowed mockingly.
"I guess this is as much my fault as it is your father's…," he hummed away as he tucked a long silver strand behind her ear absentmindedly, "…that you are not familiar with Youkai customs."
"What are you talking about?"
"Lady Towa," he stepped closer and planted a kiss on her forehead.
He was chuckling again as he could hear her heart race erratically. Towa could feel his hands hover over her waistline, his palms emitting heat she wanted to lean into.
"Let me make a fire, and we could talk a bit more if you so wish."
He was gone before she could respond and reappeared seconds later with firewood, that he ignited with a wave of his hand.
"Now," he sat, and motioned for her to take a seat on the patch of grass next to him and she obliged.
"Princess Towa..."
"I am not a Princess," she whispered softly and diverted her gaze from the fire to the sky.
"But you are. You are the Crown Princess of the West."
"Sesshomaru is not a King. The Spirit of the Tree said he gave up his title."
"Please just listen to me," he smiled at her and patted her hand reassuringly to stop her interrupting.
"Yokais have dual nature, both human and beastly."
"You mean you are like hanyos," she teased.
"Yes, but much better of course," he chuckled again.
"Of course…," she smiled, and leaned back on the grass.
"All those years ago when you cut me, you left a mark."
"But you healed it."
"That is not the point."
"Setsuna cut you, and you… and certainly others cut you before."
"Yes, of course," his voice sounded offended now, but she didn't look at him to check.
"But you are not just anyone. You are…"
"A Princess?"
"Exactly."
"What are you trying to say to me?"
He didn't say anything for a long time. She dared to peek at him from under her lashes, his face painted golden in the orange light of the fire. Towa could see the cogs turn in his head. He really wasn't much harder to read than Master Kirin – or maybe she just got to know him by now. The thought of knowing him so intimately delighted her. She sat up as she saw him turning towards her.
"What I am trying to say is, that I would like to court you."
"Court me? Like in a Jane Austen novel?" she giggled and continued in English.
"Are you telling me, that you have fought against your better judgment, your family's expectations, the inferiority of my birth by rank and circumstance. All these things you are willing to put aside and ask me to end your agony?"
"When you put it this way I fear I taught you too well."
It was his turn to blush, and she was mesmerised by the fact that he didn't look away. His facial markings and scales showed on his face now, and Towa wasn't sure when they appeared since they weren't visible a moment ago. She reached out and cupped his face, his green eyes reflecting the dance of the flames. Towa could feel his struggle, in her very heart. Kirinmaru didn't know what to do, what to say next. She snuggled closer to him in encouragement, and she could feel the scales disappear from below her fingertips. She wanted to laugh, but managed to school her features in the very last moment.
"Well then…," she whispered, and pulled him closer. Towa parted her lips and felt him washing over her like warm wave, the taste of him nearly silencing all her thoughts. Her whole body tingled, the feel of his frame leaning on hers felt almost forbidden. Kirinmaru pulled her in, claiming her mouth with vigour, hungry and intense, until her senses gave in. It felt as if time had stopped right there, as they lay on the grass, glued to one another – as if no one else existed and there was no risk of them being caught off-guard. And for Kirinmaru, as if he'd never been shy to begin with.