These Changing Times
This fanfic series takes place two years after the Revenge Arc ends, in an alternate RuroKen universe. (Only because I started it well before the manga ended ^_^;;) Eighteen-year-old Makimachi Misao comes to Tokyo to stay with Kenshin and Kaoru... and to put her own troubles behind her. A newly attentive Sagara Sanosuke is more than willing to distract her. Then a certain Oniwabanshuu onmitsu turns up in Tokyo to help investigate a wave of vicious armed robberies sweeping the city...
Comments and constructive criticism are always appreciated. But be warned: this fic meddles with what seem to be considered the tried-and-true romantic pairings in RuroKen (in case I didn't already make that clear). So if you read further, please be kind and keep an open mind! ^^;;
Note: for those who are new to the language, go to http://home.netcom.com/~sakka/times/glossary.htm to get information on the Japanese terms and expressions used in this chapter.
WARNING! This chapter is rated NC-17 for graphic sexual content. If you are under 17, or are offended by this sort of thing, please skip to the next chapter. Arigatou!
Chapter 23 -- Tonight
Sano roamed the confines of his small room restlessly, picking up books and flipping through them mindlessly before tossing them aside... then picking them up again and shoving them back onto the small bookshelf he'd built. Should keep the place clean at least before she...
He swallowed nervously. What if she doesn't come? What if she changed her mind? What if Shinomori finds out and stops her?
He closed his eyes, mentally shaking himself --
Baka-yarou... she loves you... wants you... what will it take to make you believe it?
A sharp rap sounded on the door. Heart pounding, palms sweating, Sano quickly rose and slid the door open.
Misao stood before him, clad in a long sky-blue manto with the hood raised against the chilly evening breeze. He could just make out the darker blue of her Oniwabanshuu uniform peeking from beneath the cloak. Her warm blue-green eyes met his relieved brown gaze.
"You came," he said simply, inclining his head slightly as he stepped aside.
She smiled as she entered the room at his wordless invitation. "I came," she repeated, her voice low as she surveyed the spartan space, her eyes lingering on the futon spread out in the corner.
Sano wiped his palms hastily on the back of his pants, then held out a hand to Misao. "Can I take your cloak?" he said.
She turned to face him fully, a slight flush spreading over her cheeks as she noticed he was wearing pants, his headband... and nothing else, not even his omnipresent bandages. She glimpsed his distinctive white jacket with its stylized "aku" marking hanging from a peg in the wall just opposite them. Her eyes traveled over Sano's broad shoulders... his bare chest... his taut, unbandaged stomach... his white pants, which were loosened and hanging a bit lower than usual... his muscled calves and bare feet.
The sight of him made her weak in the knees.
"Misao?" Sano prompted, feeling his body stir as she studied him.
Misao managed to tear her eyes away from his state of undress. She'd been nervous when she'd entered Sano's room, but her jitters had since disappeared, replaced by calm certainty. She met his questioning eyes silently for a moment, savoring the intense attraction simmering between them. Without answering, she slowly undid the clasp of her cloak, slipping it off her shoulders and handing it to him. His fingertips brushed hers as he took it, and she almost gasped aloud at the sensations the simple touch invoked.
Sano hung the cloak on an empty wall peg next to his jacket. As he faced her again, it was his turn to admire her. Misao felt momentarily shy as his eyes roved over her. She had deliberately left her breasts unbound and worn her ninja gear with the top arranged in such a way that it revealed a tantalizing glimpse of her bare cleavage... and she also had foregone her usual leg bandages, wearing only tabi and straw sandals. It felt a bit strange -- not to mention chilly -- but it had the advantage of showing off her slender, shapely legs from ankle to mid-thigh.
Damn... Sano thought. She looks incredible. He pictured himself burying his face in that revealing neckline... running his hands over those beautiful legs... carrying her to his futon and --
He cleared his throat. "So... will it be tonight, Misao?" he asked her in an almost-steady voice.
Misao took a deep breath and, looking him straight in the eyes, said softly --
"Hai. Tonight."
Misao stepped forward until she was standing directly in front of Sano. She gazed up at him, drinking in the sight of him, smiling inwardly at his faintly surprised, expectant expression. His impatience was almost tangible, but he remained motionless before her, waiting to see what she would do.
Waiting for me to do whatever... I... want... The thought made her almost giddy.
She slowly reached out and ran her fingertips up his bare torso, from his stomach to his chest, her smile widening as she felt his muscles jump and heard his breath catch. Wonder what it would be like to kiss him... there...
As soon as she had the thought, she acted on it, leaning forward and brushing tentative kisses across his chest. He groaned softly, dropping his head back as her mouth traveled up his chest, her kisses becoming bolder as she stood on tiptoe to reach his neck.
When she began nibbling the skin just below his ear, Sano could hold back no longer. Breathing her name, he pulled her flush against him and tipped her face up to his, capturing those sweet, tormenting lips with his own. She shifted against him as they kissed, pressing her bosom against his chest, answering his throaty growl with her own arduous murmur. Minutes passed, punctuated only by the soft sounds of their mouths meeting... the rustle of clothing and bodies brushing together... an occasional brief, pleased moan.
Unfortunately, after a time, the arousal pulsing through Misao's body began to be dampened by the growing pain in her neck as she awkwardly strained upward to match Sano's kisses.
"Wait," she panted, breaking away. "You're... too tall... my neck hurts..."
Sano chuckled, gently rubbing the back of her neck. "Better rest it, then" he said, his deep, seductive voice sending tremors through Misao's belly. "Let's try something else for awhile." He gave her cheek a lingering caress as he dropped to his knees, tugging her down with him. "Turn around, pretty lady," he murmured in the midst of another kiss. "There's something I've always wanted to do..."
Misao's mind swam with the possibilities. He's... he's probably going to... oh, yes... I want him to do that...
She obediently turned away from him, shifting nervously on her knees as she waited for Sano to loosen her sash. Instead, he stroked the back of her neck, running his fingers over the baby-fine hairs at her nape. He tenderly kissed her there once, twice... then withdrew, leaving her bewildered and flustered.
"Sa~nooo," she wailed in frustration. "What are you trying to do to me?"
"Patience, itachi-chan," he said, laughter rippling through his voice. "I'll make it worth your while... I promise."
"You'd better, tori-chan," she replied, making them both laugh. He leaned over and whispered in her ear --
"I'll be your rooster... whenever you want, babe." She snickered, then gasped as he flicked his tongue inside her ear, awed by the sharp, sweet feelings coursing through her breasts... her belly... lower...
"Ohhh," she moaned as he pulled her back against him, slipping one arm around her waist and pressing wild, open-mouthed kisses against the side of her neck. "Oh, Sano... don't stop..."
"Give me... one minute," he murmured between kisses. "There's still something..." He left off kissing her neck, and Misao felt a gentle tug on her braid. She then heard a metallic clink as Sano put aside the bronze ornament she wore at its end. She giggled as he fumbled with the twine she'd tied the end of her braid with.
"Dammit, Misao, how many knots did you put in this thing anyway?" he groused, making her giggle harder.
"Don't worry," she said, wriggling provocatively against him. "That's the only thing I'm wearing that's hard to untie."
Muttering a few frustrated curses, Sano raised the end of Misao's braid to his teeth and gnawed through the twine. He then carefully undid her thick braid, combing it out with his fingers. She shook her head reflexively when he was done, fanning the loose strands across her back... then turned slowly to face him. The hunger in his eyes softened slightly as he admired the sight of her with her silky black hair tumbling down her back and shoulders, framing her delicate face and intensifying the color of her eyes.
"Kirei..." he whispered. "As beautiful as in my dreams..."
Misao's eyes widened in surprise. "You've dreamed about me?" she whispered back.
"Aa." His eyes burned with remembered desire. "Many times I awoke from those dreams... wanting you here with me... like this..." He pulled her to him again, running his hands through her hair as they kissed long and deep. He drew back slightly, his fierce gaze making her heart flutter. "Misao," he said urgently. "I want to take you to bed... touch you... love you... but only if you're sure --"
He fell silent as she traced his lips with her fingers. "I'm sure," she whispered, shivering as he sucked and nibbled at their tips. "Sano... I love you... I want to be with you. I don't want to wait anymore."
Sano couldn't help grinning at that. A typical Misao answer... bold and to the point. We're so alike sometimes it's scary. His eyes darkened with determined purpose. Time we found out just how right we are together...
"Then, if you're sure... turn around one more time, kirei," he said. She obliged him, her nerves quivering as she felt him tug on the bow nestled against her spine. The sash came undone easily, and she smiled as Sano pulled it away from her body and tossed it across the room. She turned toward him again, her sleeveless top parting just enough to expose a thin strip of creamy flesh running from the hollow of her throat to just below her navel. Sano maneuvered himself so that he could slip an arm underneath her knees and another under her back... then lifted her off the floor and carried her to his futon.
Misao trembled as Sano carefully lay her onto his bed. She was still floored by Sano's admission... especially since she'd been dreaming of him lately, too. Wouldn't it be odd if our dreams have been the same? She blushed as she remembered the most recent dream... and how its lingering effect had prompted her attack in the kitchen earlier that night. Sano bent over her and stroked her reddened cheek with the back of one hand.
"Tell me what you're thinking, Misao," he said, cupping her cheek, his smoldering eyes locked on hers.
She swallowed. "I've... been dreaming of you, too... Sano," she whispered ardently, taking his hand from her face and kissing it.
His eyes burned brighter. "Tell me," he whispered hoarsely, lowering himself onto her. "What did I do in your dreams?"
She felt a forbidden thrill dance up her spine. "You kissed me... here," she said in a low voice, touching the hollow of her throat. Sano immediately pressed his lips there, dipping his tongue into the depression. He lifted his face slightly, watching her as she sighed with pleasure.
"What else did I do?" he asked huskily, fighting the ever-growing urge to rip away her half-open top and ravish her. Slowly, baka-yarou... it's her first time... and we have all night...
Misao toyed with the strands of hair framing Sano's face, the blue in her eyes deepening as she remembered. "You kissed me... here," she murmured, running a finger slowly down the bare skin from the base of her throat to between her breasts, which were now only partially covered by the fabric of her top. Sano felt his heart speed up as he lowered his lips to her pale skin, following the trail she'd marked with her finger, smiling slightly at her welcoming murmur. He looked up again at the path's end, his face hovering just above her breasts.
"Then what, my beauty?" he whispered, his breath tickling her skin. Please... oh, please, let me...
Misao blushed again as she pictured the scene from her dream. Just thinking about what he had done... and how much she'd liked it... made her feel a little embarrassed. I don't know if I can say it... demo... I really want him to...
With her heart beating in her ears, Misao slowly parted her top.
Sano gazed for a moment at her naked breasts... watching as their rosy nipples hardened under his scrutiny. He needed no further invitation. "Kirei..." he breathed as he covered one breast with soft, sensual kisses.
Misao moaned as his mouth touched her breast for the first time... then squealed as he took in her nipple, suckling it tenderly, teasing it with tongue and teeth until she thought she might go mad. Gods, the sensations... ! Better than any dream. They rocked her body and blotted out all conscious thought except one.
Yes...
She mewled his name... sank her hands in his hair... writhed underneath him as his mouth engulfed her other breast, his hand continuing to stroke the one he'd kissed first. She felt the pull she'd experienced with Sano many times before, only more intense... the feelings becoming concentrated in that secret spot between her legs... building there... making her feel restless, wanting something more...
After so many nights of dreaming of Misao, Sano reveled in the reality of her presence... the exquisite softness of her flesh under his hands and lips... the sharp snap of lust as she arched her body against his... the luxurious feel of her fingers threading through his hair, cradling his head against her bosom... the tremors in his stomach as she moaned his name, begged him for more.
He lifted his head and met her eyes again, noting with satisfaction her wild, abandoned expression. "Tell me what else I did, kirei," he purred, brushing his thumbs over her taut peaks.
Panting slightly, she pulled him down to her and kissed him thoroughly, running her hands over his bare back, enjoying the weight of his long, hard body pushing against hers... the silky warmth of their bare flesh pressing together.
"It isn't what you did... it's what I did..." she said with a sly smile as she reached up behind his head, tugging on the knot of his headband. She then rolled Sano onto his back and sat up, straddling him. She draped his headband around her neck, fingering the loose ends. Sano watched her hungrily, his vision partially obscured by the thick fringe that had fallen over his forehead when Misao had removed the strip of fabric.
"Know what I think every time I see you wearing this?" she said impishly.
Sano smiled, resting his hands easily against her waist. "Nani?"
She trailed her fingers across the fabric. "When I first gave this to you, you ran your fingers over it... like this..." she murmured. "And I remember wanting to be that headband.... with your hands stroking me that way."
Sano ran his hands lightly up her bare ribs. "Like this?" he murmured as she shivered.
"Oh, yes..." she sighed.
"And this?" he said as his hands continued their journey up her back and over her shoulders. She hummed her assent, smiling as he slowly pushed her shirt off her shoulders and down her arms, which she obediently dropped straight at her sides so he could more easily remove the garment. With a teasing grin, she maneuvered Sano's headband so that it covered the tips of her breasts, shivering as the smooth silk brushed the hardened, sensitive flesh there.
Sano found the action both sexy and endearing. A wicked smile slowly spread across his face as an idea took form. "And this?" he said in a low, seductive voice, running the backs of his fingers down the red silk, pressing it against Misao's hardened nipples as he did so. She moaned and wriggled against his own swollen, aroused flesh, prompting an answering moan from Sano as his body throbbed in response.
"And this?" he whispered urgently, caressing her thighs, letting his fingers wander just inside the cuffs of her short pants, then back down to her knees.
"Yes, Sano..." she breathed, rocking slowly against him. "Like that... touch me everywhere."
"Aa," he growled, sitting up suddenly. The glint in his eyes was almost feral, and Misao felt a tiny prick of fear as he rose to his feet, roughly pulling her up with him, kissing her so hard their teeth clicked together. Sano felt her stiffen and quickly drew back.
"Sumanu, Misao," he whispered, gently kissing her forehead, her cheeks. "I got carried away. Did I hurt you?"
She relaxed immediately. "Iie," she said, smiling up at him. "It's all right... you're just impatient, ne?" She ran her hands slowly down his bare torso, then brushed her fingers over the knot at his waist. "I know I am," she murmured, eyes simmering as she tugged at the knot. "I'm so impatient... Sano, I want to see you... touch you... onegai..."
"I know... I want you to," he said, catching her hand in both of his and pressing it to his lips. "Shikashi... I need you to know something first." His eyes seemed to melt into hers as he said --
"You know I love you, Misao... but I haven't told you yet that I want to make you my wife. I have to be sure that's what you want, too... before we --"
Misao threw her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly, nearly knocking the breath from him. "Baka," she whispered fiercely as Sano felt the telltale tickle of her tears dampen his chest. "Of course I want to marry you. I love you, remember?"
"Misao..." he whispered, his entire body singing. "I'll love you always... it's a promise..."
They sank to their knees, kissing deeply, their joyful tears mingling. It wasn't long before their tears dried and their hands began roaming, firing their passion again. Misao broke away from Sano, breathing heavily, her eyes intense.
"Sano... make me yours," she said, puncuating her pleading command by running her fingers lightly over the bulge in his pants.
"Aa," he growled, taking his hands from her breasts and fumbling with the knot at his waist. When it came undone, Misao helped him slide his pants down, revealing his lean hips... his beautifully muscled thighs... and...
Misao stared at his erection, fascinated and a trifle dismayed. "That's supposed to fit inside me?" she asked. "How is that possible?"
Sano's shoulders shook with suppressed laughter as he tugged at the drawstring holding Misao's short pants up. "I'll take that as a compliment," he murmured, kissing her neck as he slid her shorts down her hips. "Don't worry, love... I won't try that until you're ready."
"Datte... how will I know?" she said, a little anxiously.
"You will. And I'll help you," he said reassuringly, laying her back on the futon so he could remove her shorts completely... then her tabi... then standing to finish removing his own pants. He gazed down at her, awed by her pale, perfect beauty... the dark hair pooled around her shoulders matching the dark nest between her thighs. Her skin was soft, but her body was not -- it was honed and conditioned by years of training. Yet the training only emphasized her feminine curves, making her all the more desirable.
"So lovely," he whispered reverently, kneeling over her. He brushed a finger over her lips, which parted, her tongue flickering over the digit. Still, there was fear in her eyes... not of him, he knew... but of the unknown.
"Misao... do you trust me?" he asked, stroking the side of one breast.
"Of course," she responded, keeping her eyes on his with an effort. Her fingers itched to touch him... there... but she was having trouble overcoming the shyness that had gripped her when he removed the last of her clothing. I know so little about loving... only the things Omasu and Okon told me... and the conversations I overheard between them. Sano's had actual experience... what if I displease him somehow... make him regret his feelings?
Sano kissed her softly, then whispered ardently in her ear --
"Go ahead, Misao. It's all right... you won't hurt me. Quite the opposite, believe me."
Encouraged by his words, his yearning brown eyes, Misao reached up and brushed his member with the lightest of caresses. Her eyes widened with wonder. "Ohh... it's firm... but so smooth... like the finest silk," she whispered, her touch becoming bolder... her fingers more curious.
Sano groaned as sharp, delicious sensations washed through him. "Don't..." he pleaded as she withdrew her hand, looking concerned. He grabbed it, replacing it between his legs. "Misao... don't stop. It's... so good..."
She smiled, delighted that she could drive him as wild as he did her. "I won't stop," she breathed, stroking him with renewed purpose, feeling his body pulse in her hand, matching the pulsing between her own thighs. Sano's moans and pleas for more ripped away the last of her restraint. Thought gave way to instinct as she sat up and pushed Sano back against the bedding. She lowered her head and...
"Ohh... Misao... kami-sama..." Sano's hands buried themselves in her hair, pushing her head against him, his body quivering in unimaginable ecstacy. "Ore... ore... ahh..."
As she took him in her mouth, Misao heard her more proper self scream that what she was doing was filthy... that it made her no better than a whore. But she didn't care. She felt something dark and elemental stirring inside her... that part of her that came alive whenever she and Sano were together like this. That unabashedly sensual part of her wanted nothing more than to give pleasure and receive it in kind... and didn't care how or why or whether it was proper.
She discovered something else -- giving him pleasure this way fanned her own flame, making her want him even more ferociously. Her mouth left his penis, traveling hungrily up his stomach, his chest. "Sano... gomen... I couldn't wait anymore..." she murmured as her wandering lips met his once more. "I want you so badly... onegai..."
Sano's face was sweating, and he silently thanked whatever deities there were that Misao had stopped what she was doing when she did. Gods, I'm so close... and she's not ready. Yet. He smiled, relishing the thought of exploring her sweet body... of pleasuring her as she had him.
"Let me touch you first, kirei," he said, carefully rolling her onto her back. He ran his fingers slowly up the insides of her legs, from her slender ankles to her knees, then to her thighs, stroking them as she moaned softly, opening them wider to his touch. He lightly traced the edges of the hair marking their apex, smiling as he heard her breath catch... then cupped her firmly against his palm. She groaned, leaning into his touch, murmuring wordless pleas as he ground the heel of his hand against her, coaxing her higher. The feel of her warm wetness against his palm sent a shaft of heat through him, touching off an undeniable urge to kiss her there. Touch first... then taste, he thought, smiling inwardly as he remembered her doing the same to him.
He carefully slipped his fingers inside the outer folds of skin covering her pleasure center, stroking the moist, sensitive flesh within, searching for that hidden spot that would make her howl with ecstacy.
"Sanooooo... ohhhh," Misao moaned, covering his questing hand with her own, her head thrashing against the bedding. "More... want you... fill me..."
A brief, sly smile crossed his face at her breathless, unabashed demand. "All in good time, my beauty," he murmured, brushing her open mouth with his as his fingertips found the place he'd been seeking...
Misao jerked as Sano's fingers suddenly tightened against her. "Aah!" she cried out, overwhelmed by the white-hot pleasure his touch ignited within her. His previous touches had bathed her in warm, yearning sensations... this new feeling was almost frightening in its intensity. She mewled pleadingly, reflexively grabbing Sano's wrist as she tried to pull away from his hand. He gently nudged her hand aside, whispering --
"Shh... don't be afraid." He breathed against the base of her neck, kissing it as he slowed the pace of his caress. "You're safe, love. Let yourself go..."
His fingers tightened again, sending another bolt of incredible sensation through her. "Sano," she gasped, her body tensing against the pull. "Too much... losing myself..."
"I'm here, kirei," Sano murmured as he sprinkled feather-light kisses over her belly. "I'll help you find your way back... come, sweet Misao... fly with me..."
Misao closed her eyes, feeling momentarily ashamed. Of course... Sano loves me... he'll keep me safe... She willed her muscles to relax... and was immediately swept into the river of pleasure surging within her. Sano raised his face long enough to register her assent, smiling as her passion-clouded eyes met his. Wordlessly, she threw her arms over her head, her hands grasping the bedding, her body arching upward.
Sano chuckled wickedly at the wanton picture she made... then dipped his head between her legs and tasted her. So sweet... like spring rain, he thought, his tongue stroking inside her while his fingertips continued to dance nimbly over her pleasure zone.
Misao dimly wondered if it was possible for someone to die from ecstasy. Panting hard, she spread her legs wider, rocking her body in time with the rhythmic strokes of his tongue. She cradled her aching breasts, squeezing them to release the pent-up sensations... squealing as Sano took full possession of her with his mouth, sucking her, his teeth lightly scraping her sensitive flesh, somehow causing more pleasure than pain. She opened her mouth to tell him, beg him for more, but the only sounds that emerged were several sharp, gasping cries.
Sano let loose a muffled groan as Misao thrust against him. Her taste... her scent... the impassioned noises she made... it stoked his desire for her like nothing he'd ever experienced. I can't... I have to have her... now...
As if she'd heard his thoughts, Misao screamed Sano's name, her body shuddering with release. Now. Sano pulled himself up over her and entered her in one mighty thrust, uttering a primal growl as he felt her barrier yield to him. My woman... mine always...
Misao was so focused on the magnificent explosion spiraling through her body that she barely felt Sano's entrance. She was vaguely aware of a tearing sensation... of a tightness between her legs... of Sano's body pressed close to hers again. He kissed her open mouth, murmuring her name, calling her back from the light and the endless blue sky where she'd soared so briefly.
"Sano," she sighed, running her fingers through his hair as they kissed. "You were right... you were so right..."
"I told you I'd be here, kirei," he said, his voice strained. "Demo... come back... I need you now..."
Misao shifted against him, surprised by how much her flesh had stretched to accomodate him, though it still felt tight. He cried out, his face contorting with pleasure, and returned the motion, setting himself deep inside her. She drew her breath in sharply, unable to keep from wincing at the discomfort.
"Misao... I don't want to hurt you..." he panted, raising himself up on his elbows to get a better look at her face.
"I know," she said, touching his mouth, her eyes tender. "It's okay, though... I want you to fly like I did, Sano... show me what to do..."
Sano whispered her name gratefully, kissed her softly. "Just what you're doing," he said. "But promise you'll stop me if it hurts too much..."
"I promise," she said, pushing up against him experimentally. Despite the discomfort she felt, she loved the feel of him inside her... the sensation of them joined together as one. The soreness will pass... Okon told me so... and it's a small price to pay to give Sano what he gave me...
Sano moaned, wrapping his arms around Misao as he pulled out slowly, then pushed back in. He didn't want to hurt her... but it was so good... so warm inside her... and the feel of her moist flesh sliding against his was just too sweet to be denied. His thrusts grew more rapid, more rhythmic as he climbed toward that same peak he'd helped Misao find earlier. He was half-aware of Misao's whispered encouragements... of her wrapping her legs around his waist, giving herself over to him. Her complete surrender did him in... and he felt himself tumble off the edge into glorious oblivion.
Misao smiled joyfully at Sano's husky cry of release, tightening her grip on him as he trembled against and within her. He pressed his face in the crook between her neck and shoulder, his rapid breathing warm against her skin. They rested that way for a few minutes in silence, still joined together, basking in the languid warmth of afterglow.
Misao was the first to speak. "Yokatta ne?" she asked, idly stroking Sano's back, smiling as he chuckled against her.
Sano kissed her collarbone tenderly. "Aa," he replied in that deep, sexy voice she'd come to love. "Totemo yokatta."
She giggled as she dropped her legs onto the bed again, allowing Sano to pull out of her. He rolled over on his side, facing Misao, smiling as she mirrored him. She grinned back at him as his eyes traveled over her once more... admiring her sparkling eyes... her slightly flushed face... the way the dark silk of her hair twined wildly around her naked body, partially obscuring her feminine attributes.
"Mmm... you should always dress like that," he said appreciatively, eliciting a bubbly laugh from the woman at his side.
"Only for you," she murmured, moving in for a lingering kiss.
"I like that idea," he replied, pulling the covers over them both, then wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. "Misao... I've never been so happy," he whispered.
She felt her heart swell again. "I know," she replied softly, kissing his chest. "I didn't think such happiness was possible."
Sano stroked her soft hair, marveling at the perfect fit of their bodies. He felt sleep begin to claim him, and murmured --
"Misao... aishiteru... stay with me..."
Misao snuggled closer to him, knowing what he meant without him having to finish.
"Don't worry... I'm not going anywhere," she whispered sleepily before drifting off into beautiful, sun-filled dreams.
-- End of Chapter 23 --