Special dedication: Xion, PokeDigi, LazzyQ, Alica, Deoku, VGuyver, Flyby, Niteflite, and all my other devoted readers.
Bloody Roar III: Reunited by Chance, a Reflection of the Past
By Tiger5913
Chapter 22
Displaying The Insight And Emotions
The night ends on a bitter note
Confusion and sorrow running
Through, occupying his mind
She shares his feelings; confiding
In each other will help their atonement.
Damn it…
The rustling of blankets and restless turning filled the serene atmosphere, overlapping the quietness that was previously asset. Strands of dark colored hair lay sprawled across the soft white pillow, cotton material teasing the tensed muscles of the neck's base. The warm heat of the night weather swiveled around the figure that was lying down on the firm mattress, picking at the flimsiness of the sleepwear. Starting to feel rather torrid, the bed shifted a bit as the form sat up, small sweat beads of prosperity glistening on their forehead. Glancing at the darkened surroundings through hazy brown eyes, the person abandoned the previous resting position and crossed the distance of the room to reach a dresser on the other side.
I can't sleep… A pair of hands pulled open one of the drawers and searched blindly through the contents for an item. Maybe I should do what I usually do…
A tiny smile of triumph formed over air-moistened lips as fingers brushed against a familiar fluffy object. Yanking it out, the figure crept out of the room and walked quietly down the obscure hallway, eyelids blinking open and shut at the haziness of the setting. Shadows flirted with the beige surface of the walls, crooked shapes beckoning as if they wanted a victim to become entrapped in their hold.
I wonder how late it is… past midnight, probably…? A dim glow emitted from the eyes at the thought, and the towel was wrapped protectively around her upper body. Clutching the edges, she let out a sigh of relief as the bottom of the stairs approached her vision. I'm glad that Mother doesn't know of this…
Descending to the first floor of the house, she furtively made her way through the living room, then latched one hand onto a handle and tugged the glass door open quietly. Her eyes searching the area before carefully shutting it behind her, she strolled down the smooth concrete path of the backyard barefoot, her soft skin glistening under the blanket of the bright stars overhead.
She slowed her pace upon glimpsing the sight of shimmering turquoise water a few feet in front of her. Waves in the liquid swayed by the breezy force of the wind as her fuzzy reflection bounced off the surface. Shivering slightly from the cool chill of the weather, she unraveled the towel from her figure and folded it neatly, setting the object at the poolside. Unbuttoning her pajama top, she shrugged out of the article of clothing, letting it slick soundlessly to the floor.
Now clad in her thin sleeveless undershirt and cyan boxers, her exposed skin quivered and she tried to ignore it, focusing her light brown eyes on the contents of the pool. The young woman crouched down to knee-level and reached out a hand to allow her fingertips to glide through the water, reveling in the surprisingly warm feel. A shaky sigh escaping her lips, she raised both arms straight up above her head, her eyelids shutting to a close, and glided effortlessly into the pool, a silent splash the only noise that lingered in the air.
I can't believe this… Shenlong, an ally now…
Her legs moved in a rhythmic motion, letting her body flow gently through the water as strands of her silky auburn-colored hair trickled into motion with the waves. A small smile of joyance formed over her lips at the delicate feeling of the liquid encircling her slender form.
Poor Kenji, getting carelessly tortured by Xion… God, the cruelty of that unmerciful man…
A resentful frown woefully replaced her smile and her eyes cautiously blinked open as the aquatic color of the pool filled her vision.
I wish there were something I could do for him… Help ease his pain somehow…
Air bubbles emitted out from her tender lips, floating through the wet environment and rising up to the oxygen-filled atmosphere.
I hope that there's something I could do for you, Kenji… If there is anything, please let me know… I feel really prosperous to have you…
Her feet pushing off of the cold stony bottom, her body ascended and her back lay atop the water as she surfaced. She sighed breathlessly, a feeling of serenity pervading her mind, her gaze looking up to the dark night sky. The bright stars flickered and winked, their soft laughter being carried along through the breezy wind. Her thoughts withered as she sought to relax, enjoying the tranquility of her surroundings.
Enticing elegance, graceful movements like a delicate sea-maiden… The true essence of beauty emitting from within…
The pair of eyes observing her attractive figure followed her motions, a dreamy look forming over the comely facial features.
You probably could have chosen anyone… I bet that one guy a couple weeks ago would've felt so damn lucky to be your boyfriend… So if I hadn't shown up, he probably would be glad that there wasn't someone to interfere…
The newcomer moved stealthy down the path, slicking through the winding shadows of the night, approaching the cat zoanthrope swimming in the water as if drawn to her. Light brown irises fixated onto her form, attention staying on her as quiet footsteps trotted foreword. A smile appeared over the set of tan-beige lips, dark blue bangs whisking freely through the breezy zephyr.
"I thought cats were supposed to dislike water," he commented loud enough to be heard, his tone of voice soft and sedated-sounding.
Her eyes shot open and her position wavered a bit as she straightened, her feet once again touching the bottom. "…?" Shaking her head free of her previous dream-like stance, she squinted, trying to let the tiny wet drops trickle away from her eyes. "Kenji…?"
A small smile formed over his lips and he continued walking toward her a bit timidly. "Hey Riko…"
"What are you doing up so late…?" Uriko inquired, bashfully hiding herself in the water, purposely allowing her long auburn hair to fall over her upper body.
"I could ask you the same…" The young ninja replied, stopping by the side of the pool, and crouching down into a sitting position.
"…I couldn't sleep," she confessed, her gaze falling upon the turquoise liquid that enclosed around her figure. "There was too much occupying my mind; I needed to go somewhere and think. Whenever I get that feeling, I just come out here and go swimming, thus allowing my thoughts to run freely."
"I get that feeling quite often myself…" Kenji told her, his hand descending to the water and his fingers grazing against the surface. "Only… I don't really have a place like this to go to for my brooding. I usually just laid in bed and let my thinking flow that way."
"You can always talk to me," the Kenpo student assured him. "I'm here to listen."
He nodded in silent reply. "I know. It's just that… I'm not sure you can stand hearing all my… grieving."
Her expression softened, compassion glimmering her in light brown pupils. "Don't say that, Kenji… I'd actually be honored that you would want to share your feelings with me."
"…Why was I even born…" the mole zoanthrope murmured, closing his eyes as a sigh escaped his lips. "Was it just to… experience these obstacles…? Witness a couple of life's true definitions of cruelty?" His voice sounded pained. "Sometimes, I just don't see what is the point of my life… what the point of living is…"
A hurt look appeared over her face. "Don't… don't think those things…" If he tries to kill himself again…
"I don't want to think those things, Riko…" he mumbled a little mournfully. "But I… I can't help it sometimes…" God, I hope I won't be driven to the point of suicide again… I would never forgive myself if I hurt Riko that badly…
"Don't cut your lifeline short," she pleaded. "Life is worth living, trust me… Even though it throws obstacles at us sometimes…"
"…I hate my obstacles." Kenji seethed; true anger could be detected in his attitude. "Being manipulated, controlled like a mindless puppet on strings…" Tylon, Busuzima, Xion…
"…I just despise the source of all those things," his fiancée remarked. "Like Tylon, Busuzima, Xion…" she sighed. "Damn those cruel, heartless beings… They're all scum."
"I wouldn't be that nice," he said dryly. "But yeah, you're right about the 'cruel' and 'heartless' parts."
"You know… sometimes, I wonder what happened to the other people that endured what we went through…" Her expression grew thoughtful. "I hope they all made it and are doing well…"
"I'd like to think that too," the blue-haired ninja replied. "But…" He trailed off.
She knew what he meant and nodded solemnly. "Well… Then bless their souls."
"…I guess we're really lucky," He slowly opened his eyes and met her gaze. "To have escaped safely, and made it this far even with all the things that we'd had to face."
Uriko smiled softly at him as she glided through the water to close the distance between them, wet strands of her hair clinging to her skin. "Now that is definitely the better way of seeing things…"
"…Who knows where I would be if it weren't for that project of yours," her companion started to say, slight smirk forming over his lips. "If you hadn't been so persistent… if I hadn't been brought out of my stubborn, thick-headed shell… and realized how stupid I was acting toward you."
She grinned and replied lightheartedly, "I'm glad that you were so dogged… That had really shot up my determination and motive. I mean, I pretty much just flat-out refused to believe that you thought yourself unable to love someone and that added fuel to the fire…"
"You proved me wrong." The mole zoanthrope remarked, looking at her intensively. "I thank you for doing that."
"The outcome was good." The young woman smiled, placing a slightly wet hand on his arm. The shirt that he adorned was unbuttoned, and the sides were blowing open from the force of the breeze. Catching an up-close glimpse of his bare muscular chest, she flushed slightly; his dark green shorts shifted as he turned to look at her. "Geez… er, don't you feel cold only wearing that, Kenji?"
"Um… not really," he assured her, fighting back the urge to shiver. "What about you? How's the water?"
She grimaced. "Well… you don't really notice the temperature after the numbness kicks in…"
"…Come on out, Riko." The seventeen-year-old male insisted, rising to his feet and grasping her towel in one hand. "I don't want your circulation to freeze and stop running or anything like that happening…"
At the mention of the chilly weather, Uriko shivered uncontrollably, nodding slightly in agreement as she placed both of her hands on the edge-side of the pool and proceeded to lift herself out of the water. Cringing as the cold breeze of the wind brushed by her wet body, a look of unease formed over her facial features. Smiling faintly at her, Kenji set the towel down and descended toward her, grabbing a firm hold of her arms. Carefully, he assisted her in getting out and as she stepped onto the stony ground, she shuddered from the coolness.
"Ugh, I-I guess I did stay there a bit too long…" she murmured regretfully, her face tightening into a scowl. "D-damn it…"
"I kind of kept you in there…" He glanced at her apologetically. "Sorry about that…"
She winced, still shivering as she slowly bent down to pick up the towel and wrap it around her waist, starting to head back toward her house. "It's okay… Not your fault at all."
Raising an eyebrow in concern, the dark-haired ninja quickly caught up to her, slipping off his shirt and hastily wrapping it around her shoulders. Reveling in the warmth that was emitting from his body heat, the cat zoanthrope turned her face to look at him as he strolled beside her, concern in her expression. "Hey, I don't want you to freeze to death…" Just then, she stumbled and cursed under her breath as she shakily stood back up.
"Okay, you were definitely in the water too long, Uriko." Her companion said. She really shouldn't be walking back in this freezing weather… Hope she won't be mad if I…
Facing her side, he stopped her with a gentle tap of her shoulder; she glanced at him questioningly, letting out a quiet shriek of surprise as she felt one of his hands snake under the sensitive insteps of her knees. Holding the brown-haired teenager's legs firmly, her fiancé placed his other hand near her neck to support, and lifted her body up, gathering her figure into his arms. Barely recovering from his action, she managed to keep a grip on his shirt and her towel as she rose into the air.
"Kenji, what are you-!"
"Nu uh, no protesting," He shook his head at her for emphasis.
"But… I'm not an invalid…"
A small grin formed over his lips. "Of course you're not. I just want to help, is all, since I'm partially responsible."
She smiled weakly back at him, encircling her arms around his neck as she gazed warmly into his eyes. "You're too sweet, I swear…"
"Th-thanks… You're really sweet too, Riko." The couple exchanged a knowing look.
The young ninja's dark blue bangs bounced and swiveled slightly around his forehead as he walked toward the backyard doors that lead into her house, stepping down the dark path cautiously. Hoisting her up, more tightly securing her light-weighted body to his hold, he used the hand that had been tucked under neck to reach for the handle and pull back the heavy glass door. Breezing by inside, he turned back to close it, then strolled over to the stairs, ascending to each higher step slowly.
Reaching the top, the mole zoanthrope crossed through the hallway and went into his fiancée's room. Hanging onto him, she felt her eyes lowering to flicker upon his chest, and her cheeks flushed a shade of carnation pink at the sight of his smooth hard muscles. Adverting her attention elsewhere, she ducked her head, letting her long auburn hair fall over and cover her face. He's so cute… she thought to herself, blushing a bit more deeply.
Hearing the soft sigh that escaped her lips, Kenji glanced down at her in curiosity and questioned, "…Something wrong?"
"H-huh? Oh, no… I'm all right, thanks…" she answered quietly.
Shrugging in reply, he gently descended her onto the mattress when they arrived at her bed, sliding out his arms from underneath her body. Looking up and smiling gratefully at him, the Kenpo student curled into a protective ball, shivering as she clutched the edge of her thick soft comforter tightly. Chuckling quietly, her accomplice reached for the ivory white comforter and covered it over her slender form while gently easing her down to the bedstead.
"No…" She raised a hand at the blanket, motioning for him to stop. "It's warm enough now that I'm indoors… But thank you for being concerned."
He smiled, care for her shining in his eyes. "You're welcome, Riko. I just want to make sure you're okay."
Uriko giggled delightfully. "Teehee, I can't believe you carried me inside…" He's pretty strong… Geez, I wonder how he got to be so muscular…?
The dark-haired ninja blushed, glancing away albeit bashfully as he settled down on the mattress, sitting next to her. His hand went to intertwine with hers and their eyes met as he said softly, "Well, I suppose it's good practice… I'll be carrying you again more times in the future…"
She ducked her head shyly and replied, "Yeah, I guess so…"
Looking at her with an intense gaze in his light tan irises, he placed his free hand under her chin and gently tipped it up so that he could see her chocolate brown pupils; he whispered his inquiry, "How did I get so lucky in life, hmm…? I mean, with all the events that happened in my childhood and continuing on, knowing all that, the way things are right now suits me fine."
"Everyone has their own individual problems to overcome," the cat zoanthrope started to answer, letting her other hand travel upward to cup his cheek. "I think that depending on how you handle those situations is how you somewhat control the outcome… You did a good job with your obstacles, Kenji, so that's probably why things are presently going well for you. It's balancing out."
He nodded in agreement. "I guess so. I'm glad to possess what I have right now: supportive friends, reliable allies, …relatives, and…" The promise of a future with a certain significant other…
"It's good that you value all those," She smiled gently. "…Hm, and what…?"
Kenji didn't respond verbally; just smiled shakily before leaning toward her and meeting her lips with his. A fluttery feeling forming in her chest, she found her answer in his kiss, and a soft sigh escaped from her. As his arms went to encircle around her slender waist, she timidly allowed one of her hands to settle upon his solid chest, slowly beginning an exploration. Uriko caught her breath when her fingers grazed across an unusual crevice, and she gently retracted her head a little, glancing down at where a thin, lengthy wicked scar was etched into his muscles. She traced it, brushing against the injury, her touch soft and feather-like; he fought back a groan.
"When… when did you get this…?" she inquired in a concerned whisper.
The seventeen-year-old male looked at her, unease and discomfort in his eyes. "…Xion. Once, a couple of years ago, I failed one of my assignments and as punishment, he lashed out at me with-…" He trailed off, turning his face away.
"With what…?" she persisted, gaze still on his scar.
"…A whip." The young ninja answered finally, shutting his eyes in shame. "Like… like what I did to you…"
She was a bit startled upon finding out. "O-Oh…"
"…I-I'm so sorry about that," he continued. "Riko, deep down inside a part of me was screaming to stop hurting you, b-but…"
Hearing the pain in his voice, an achy feeling formed in the Kenpo student's heart, silently crying out to him. "I understand, Kenji. Really, I do… It wasn't your fault; it's all right…"
"No, it's not!" Her fiancé hissed, snarling at himself. "I can't and won't forgive myself for… for doing that… to you." Grrr, if only I hadn't gone on that damn trip…
"Don't blame yourself," she insisted. "It was Xion's doing, not yours…"
The guilt that gnawed at this conscience didn't cease. "That freaking bastard…" Anger flashed in his glowering light brown eyes, replacing the former serene look of tranquility in them.
She smiled wryly. "Heehee, that phrase is too kind for him, I think…"
He ducked his head, quietly murmuring under his breath. Sighing in compassion, the feline zoanthrope leaned down with a small smile on her face, and lightly pressed her soft pink lips against his healing injury. Taking in a quivery breath, his pupils darkened with emotion and the blue-haired ninja waited until she looked up again before diving to capture her mouth. A little astounded by his sudden action, she jerked back slightly in surprise, but one of his hands slid up her spine to press upon the base of her neck, gently but firmly holding her to him.
Shivering in pleasure at his sultry taste, she gripped a fistful of her blanket for comfort as her companion angled her head and shifted his body so that the couple could feel more cushioned in their positions. She felt the passion emitting ardently from him, and her hand balled into a small fist, still resting on his bare chest. Noticing that he had begun to stroke her fingers through her long silky hair, Uriko paused, marveling at the feel.
Hands hardened from the experience of battle… yet still able to perform such gentle acts… She thought to herself dazedly in slight amazement.
Sensing her hesitation, the mole zoanthrope broke the kiss and whispered into her ear, "Are you okay…?" I hope she doesn't revolt at the concept of my embraces…
She shook her head. "No… I'm all right…" I think I'm pretty warmed up by now… A shaky sigh escaped from her when Kenji smiled and descended his lips to her neck, delicately sucking on her sensitive skin. "I'm j-just fine…" she gasped as the blissful feeling deepened and teased weakly, "Hehe… a-are you trying to suck my blood, Kenji…?"
He chuckled, his voice tentative and husky. "Don't worry, I'm not Jenny… I'm only after your neck, not your blood…" Riko… so beautiful…
I wonder if he wants to… stay with me… The young woman's eyes fluttered to a close as his breath and kisses moistened the surface of her flesh. Subconsciously, she began to lower herself down, her accomplice following, unfazed, until her back came into contact with the firm mattress. Slinking her arms around his neck, she relaxed, letting her weight lay on the bed and all of a sudden felt something nudging at her shoulder.
Her eyes opening instinctively, the auburn-haired teenager turned to her side and saw her fiancé nuzzling the thin strap of her undershirt, then looked up at her bashfully, silently asking permission. Pink flushed her warm cheeks as she nodded timidly, a small fire kindling inwardly when he gently bit the thin strap and eased it down gradually. Releasing his hold, the dark-haired teenager kissed her exposed shoulder and she closed her eyes, pushing down the urge to tremble.
"I am so glad that you are my first…" he whispered to her earnestly. To think, it could have been that provocative, smutty little… No, only for Riko - no one else.
"I knew you were still alive, out there somewhere," Uriko said, strong confidence in her quiet words. "I refused to believe that you were dead, be-because…" she trailed off.
"Because what?" he inquired persistently, bringing up his head to forge eye contact with her.
"Well, I bet this will sound stupid…" She smiled wryly. "But… I felt that you were alive…"
"…Really?" That doesn't sound stupid at all…
"Yeah…" she informed him. "I mean, even when all that so-called 'evidence' was brandished to me, pointing to the possibility of your being deceased, there was still this inkling of hope inside me that kept insisting you were alive. I'm not sure where it came from…" Most likely my stubborn heart, hehe… "…But I slowly grew to trust it. And I'm elated that I did…"
A shadow of a smile formed over his lips. "So am I… Heh, you were always very resolute, Riko, and you still are, which isn't a bad thing, of course. When your faith and determination merge together, your will is a lot stronger. You become very goal-oriented and will proceed to the end seeing the whole way through…"
She blushed at his compliments. "Th-thanks… You know, at this rate, you'll never get to go to sleep…"
Flushing, the dark-haired teenager glanced away and mumbled, his voice barely audible, "Sleep's not really on my mind presently; I suddenly have a burst of energy…"
His fiancée smiled and asked shyly, "U-um, could it be thanks to the help of… err…"
"I-I guess…" he replied timidly, knowing what she was trying to say. "B-but I don't want to disrupt you from sleeping or anything…"
She shook her head, taking in a shaky breath at the feel of his body covering over hers, warmth emitting from him and seeping through the thin barrier of her attire to reach her skin. "I'll be alright. But, I thought you had the exam to take tomorrow…?"
Kenji nodded, gripping a hold of her hand firmly. "Yeah, I do. I hope I'll pass it…"
"Did you study?"
"While you were recuperating from our fight with Xion, that was all that I did," she was informed. "It was occupying my mind, next to the thoughts of your recovery. I feel prepared for the test, but I guess I'm just a little nervous at the downside…"
"Well, don't worry," the young woman assured him confidently. "You won't fail. I know you; we were in a lot of classes together in our first two years…"
"Heh, I took some of those courses because you were in them," he confessed bashfully. "I mean, not that I felt forced or obligated, it's just that I wanted to be in the same class as you."
"Really…?" Her vision became slightly blurred by the dampness that had started to moisten.
Smiling down at her, he nodded his reply and she felt touched at his admittance. Timidly wrapping her arms around his neck, she tediously brought him to her; shutting her eyes, she tilted her chin up and he met her lips with his own tenderly. His fingers found the small of her back and he held onto Uriko gently, being careful not to apply pressure to her still-recovering form as he tightened his hold, lessening the small distance between them.
One of her hands left to roam around the mattress, grabbing the edge of the blanket and dragging the material over the couple. Feeling the object falling onto his back, the blue-haired ninja was a bit startled, but upon realizing what had happened, a small grin made its way to his mouth.
"Are you cold now, Riko?" he inquired softly, viewing her eyes open at his question.
"Um, no, but I don't want to be cold when, when…" She trailed off, her cheeks flushing a fierce shade of crimson.
He chuckled quietly, blushing also. "That's good, 'cause I don't want you to be either…"
Tentatively, the hand he had resting near the bottom of her tank top ducked under the material, tickling her bare stomach. She squirmed albeit restlessly in protest, unable to fight back the small giggle that escaped from her. Unintentionally his fingers traveled upwards in a leisure rate, his darkened pupils watching her intently, anticipating any signs of refusal. Looking back at him silently, the cat zoanthrope snuggled more firmly against her companion, making him grit his teeth slightly.
Her cheeks turned redder when she took a hold of the bottom of her shirt and swiftly brought it over her head, letting the article of clothing slide to the ground with a soundless slither. Her upper body now bared, she began to shiver as a slight chill came over her. Breathing a bit raggedly, the young ninja gritted his teeth more tightly, pushing down the internal instincts had arisen and hugged her to him firmly, his fingers shaking on her silky, exposed back.
"I love you, Riko." he managed to whisper huskily, his mouth against the quivering skin of her neck. "B…but it's not because of… th-this…"
Letting a rapturous moan hiss past her lips, she murmured, "I-I know, Kenji… I love you too…"
His head descending a bit lower, she giggled as the soft strands of his dark blue hair tickled the area between her chin and the base of her neck. Her flesh was moistened as his lips met certain spots, leaving behind a frail damp imprint. Her nails dug slightly into him as the hand on his neck tried to ball up instinctively; her breath caught when she felt him grazed gently against the valley between her chest. His mouth idly closed over one of her breasts and she swallowed as the gasp that pushed out of her rose up and disappeared into the air.
Argh… I hope I'm not moving too fast… Kenji thought silently. Huh, sh-she's letting me; I wonder if-…
Pressing his body more closely to hers, his hands still supporting her back, he fought for control as he began to gently suckle, drawing her into his mouth, teeth unintentionally grazing against her nipple. His fiancée let out a throaty moan at his action, and her hands gripped his neck fiercely for comfort, her body subconsciously squirming in a restless manner. Passionate sensation flooded her and it gradually increased as a sigh of bliss pushed past her lips.
The faint shadows dancing across her ceiling were the last things Uriko spied before her eyes fluttered to a close, allowing the rapturous events continue reaching to the peak. Darkness cloaked over her room, falling on the silhouette forms of the two and weak lighting from the stars blinked upon both of them, marking their special event. Outside, the night sky turned into a beautiful black and lavender shade, blending the two colors, merging them together and symbolizing the couple's unity.
End Of Chapter 22