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Warning: Readers, the PG-13 scenarios are still there (couldn't bring myself to change those 'coz I was aiming for sweet and not just lustful, eek), but I've added something that blimey, makes this a lime, as requested. Read at your own peril, bwahahahaha…
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"I don't get it…" Goku hiccupped. "Sumanu." He carefully enunciated the word, noticing that he had a slight tendency to slur syllables after two hours of non-stop drinking. Interesting, really. Other than that, beer was great. Bitter as hell though, so he hurriedly swallowed the brew, but the way it slid down his throat was heavenly, and he loved how the warmth spread from his insides and curled at the edges of his fingers and toes. Fun. Now he understood why Gojyo kept drinking the stuff. He took another swig. Better and better. "I'm glad you dragged me here, Gojyo."
The kappa grinned winningly at the waitress who'd brought them another round, appreciating her come-hither eyes and noting how they became more inviting each time she sauntered to their table, or when they glanced back at him as she returned to the bar. She had a nice ass, he thought, before he turned his amused eyes on his companion. "Glad you like it pet, since you're paying after all. But what is it exactly you don't get?"
Goku blinked a few times. Was it…had Gojyo's antennae multiplied? Perplexing. But fun! Certainly… Gojyo must be trying out some new fashion. The playboy always did pay too much attention to his looks. Hmmm…now the cockroach was waving six fingers in front of his face.
Gojyo waved his two fingers, worried a bit at how Goku's eyes had trouble focusing. Maybe he should've gone easy on the little guy, it being the monkey's first time to drink alcohol—but who said the half-weight had to catch up to him, swig per swig? "Yo, are you passing out on me?"
Goku shook his head once, feeling his brains swimming in some of the beer, and closed his eyes. Maybe he should keep still for now. Gojyo had asked something…"Er…what?" He felt a bit more balanced, with his eyes closed. "Nah…I'm okay. I just don't get it. What's with Sanzo nowadays? He seems…different."
Gojyo's worry turned to amusement again, and devilry increased the red in his eyes. He wondered what exactly Goku had noticed, being the faithful watcher of the priest that he was. "Different? How so?"
"Well…he's ruder." Goku felt around his words, feeling a bit disloyal to be discussing Sanzo behind his back. But this was Gojyo anyway, and he had to talk to someone…"I mean, he's always been blunt, but now even the women get snarled at. His bad temper's gotten worse, especially when Yukaeshi-neesan is around…does he…can Sanzo hate her?"
"You could say he feels strongly about her. " Gojyo bit back a laugh. He wished Sanzo were here to hear this…how would he clear away Goku's confusion? The monk probably wouldn't bother, he'd just tell Goku to shut up. Gojyo would have loved to see the priest's expression though. Nowadays Sanzo seemed a bit more transparent. Ah women…what they could do to a guy…or for a guy. Gojyo's eyes wandered around the bar, studying the few women present, with equal pleasure. A little too early for them to be here, or perhaps he should say, way too late, since most of the patrons appeared to be hard-core drinkers.
"But she's nice!" Goku burst out. He'd opened his eyes, and there was a flash of indignation, and uncertainty, in the irises. Gojyo could tell that it took a lot for Goku to address what could only be conjectured as a deficiency in Sanzo's attitude—poor mite worshipped the ground Sanzo walked on, and until now, had never doubted the priest's justness, and apparent all around greatness for that matter. "She's always been good to me, and she even tolerates YOU."
"Thanks for the compliment." Gojyo's tone was wry. "But have you ever noticed how she acts around Sanzo?" His eyes lit upon a young girl-demon, who looked about fifteen. Pretty child, what was she doing in this joint? Her skin was an unusual shade of blue. Intriguing. Maybe Goku should pay more attention. If he read the signals right, she seemed to be interested in monkey boy. Well, well. And that lavender-haired woman by her side wasn't bad looking either. He treated the girls to one of his special smiles, and motioned for them to come closer, an invitation that had always worked before.
Oblivious to Gojyo's machinations, Goku nodded slowly. "She's… He hiccupped again. "Sumanu…well, Yukaeshi-neesan keeps away from Sanzo. But if he were nicer to her, maybe she wouldn't be so stiff around him."
If anyone's going stiff, it's not Yukaeshi. Gojyo decided the thought was better left unsaid. "Stop worrying over those two. Sanzo looks out after Yukaeshi, and you know it. He's just being his usual grouchy self." Sanzo, you bastard, I've perjured myself so you better treat that girl nice. The kid idolizes you, and you owe it to him to get your no-doubt exemplary self into gear, so he'll see how a man should act around a girl he could possibly love. "What I'm worried about is you, Goku-kun, and Hina-chan."
Amber eyes instantly became wary, and dropped away from Gojyo's piercing red stare. "What about Hinata-chan?"
"Come off it kid, I know you've got a crush on her." Aoi kodoma seemed to have understood his signal, and was making her glidingly slow progress towards them. To Gojyo's disappointment, the lavender-haired lady didn't move from her spot, three tables away, although the older girl glanced briefly at Gojyo as she exchanged a few words with the blue girl. Oh well, no matter, he was here to make sure that Goku take steps to get over Hinata. Gojyo knew women, and his assessment of the young one was that she would probably grow into a splendid seductress. The challenging look in her eyes announced that she had little scruple when it comes to getting what she wants; the chit already had that self-confidence only great beauty or great wealth could bring. She had the first and from the looks of her clothes and jewelry, plenty of the second. Goku could do much worse for a rebound girl.
"What are you yapping about?" Goku had turned belligerent. He didn't like being on the defensive. "Even if it were true, and I'm not saying it is, well…it shouldn't matter that I…if I like her a little."
"You're on the losing end, kid. Hinata's got two guys chasing after her, and she doesn't need any badgering from you at the moment." Better to spare the kid's pride by not saying he doesn't have a prayer of a chance where Hinata was concerned. She considered him a child, like the rest of them did…although he wasn't, not really. Goku's innocence was certainly misleading and even they, friends and travel companions who certainly knew better, usually forget his true age. "What she needs are her friends to stand by her."
"I'm her friend." Goku said it quietly, and then downed the rest of his beer. It was his ninth bottle. Only a friend, but that should be enough for me.
"Hey, cheer up Goku. Lookie here, a nice young girl's coming your way and if I don't miss my guess, she's gonna ask you to buy her a drink, and maybe dance with her a little. This may be your lucky day." Gojyo couldn't help smirking at Goku's panicked expression, the brown hair flying wildly about as Goku whipped around to see…
The girl stood just behind Goku and was so close that he found himself staring at the girl's ample cleavage. Gojyo watched sympathetically as the monkey positively turned purple before he jerked his face up to stammer, "You…you're…b-b-blue!"
Gojyo laughed outright, but the girl merely smiled, losing none of her poise. "My name is Kotori. I'm here with my sister Akane." The girl then slyly turned her lapis lazuli eyes on Gojyo, who rightfully assumed that the last part of that was designed for him, but he decided that Akane could wait while he oversaw these two minors. It wouldn't take too long, Gojyo thought, grinning lasciviously as he pulled up a chair for Kotori. She managed to sit down with minimal pouting (Gojyo had ignored her hint for him to leave) and major butt wiggling, focused on Goku again, and with a deliberately seductive smile, purred, "And you are…?"
Goku seemed at a loss for words in the face of such blatant suggestion. Gojyo hid his smile, but his eyes became more watchful when he noticed that the monkey's purplish hue had faded into ashen gray. Not for the first time did he wonder if Goku was okay. The blue girl scooted her chair closer to Goku, her breasts brushing the monkey's arm, very, very briefly, one would think it were an accident. Gojyo knew better. This was getting more interesting.
Goku swallowed convulsively. "I…" He seemed to have finally found the gumption to speak. The girl smiled encouragingly, invitingly at him. Goku's whiskey-colored eyes that were the lucky recipient of her melting gaze, widened more and more. "I…I think I'm gonna be sick!" Hardly were the words out of his mouth, when he promptly vomited nine bottles worth of beer on the girl's lap.
Amidst the girl's outraged shrieks and Goku's repeated cries of "Gomen! Gomen nasai!", Gojyo's pealing laughter didn't quite manage to drown all other sound in the noisy tavern…but he came pretty close.
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Yukaeshi's lashes slowly lifted…she'd been awake for over half an hour already, but had pretended that the languor she felt was due to fatigue rather than the heat emanating from Sanzo's body, so close to her own. His hand clasped hers, still, and sometime after midnight he'd enfolded her in his monk's robes. The cottony fabric carried his scent—it was a bit chastising for her, the anti-smoker, to go all fluttery at the mixture of cigarette smoke, sweat and…Sanzou…Yukaeshi had caught herself burrowing into the cloth as though it contained answers to the mystery of the man, and had hurriedly checked the action. It was a good thing that the light was bad, she'd fretted, or he'd have seen the blush that crept into her face. Even now, her cheeks burned at the thought that she'd be confronting Sanzo under modified circumstances. It seemed as thought the dawn had decided to rise in her cheeks, for the sky was gray, and dark clouds heavy with rain obscured the sun that should've been there. All of which seemed portentous of some impending disaster. Could she rely on her self-possession when Sanzo's around? The question itself bothered her, leaning towards a negation.
Sanzo saw the minuscule movement of what was to him, elegant lashes, felt her stir beside him and discreetly angled his head to the side. It wouldn't do to be caught staring. The Buddha knew he'd done enough of that anyway, never mind that she'd been asleep. Or had she? Sanzo's sculpted mouth turned up slightly at the corners in what was his habitual equivalent of a full-blown smile. He hadn't missed how she'd turned that subtle shade of red, when he'd taken off his robe and placed it around her. Such a simple gesture of courtesy, and yet he had never felt the urge to give it until now, nor had he anticipated how much pleasure it would grant him, to rattle his stubbornly resisting companion. He believed the only reason she hadn't rejected his offering was to deny that it bothered her.
Thinking that Yukaeshi's actions resembled that of an ostrich, Sanzo suddenly flashed a grin; an unmistakable, real, honest-to-wickedness grin, which lasted about a second or two. Yukaeshi pretended that whatever botheration—namely, him—would just go away if ignored. He'd been sorely tempted to cup her cheek and make them both acknowledge the surprising attraction they felt…but he'd refrained. She wasn't ready. And if truth were told, neither was he. As to what exactly they weren't ready for, Sanzo thought, his forehead furrowing, he couldn't look at it closely without feeling a tiny bit of...annoyance? He had a mission to fulfill. Entanglement was not an option.
Sanzo's brooding look was the first thing Yukaeshi saw, and her defenses immediately went up. Loath to surrendering the spell of the previous night, Yukaeshi nevertheless sat up, and with her right hand, held out his fallen garment. "Arigatou…although you shouldn't have, I was fine without it." She concentrated on the red dot on his forehead. Better that than have those compelling violet eyes of his hypnotize her own into revealing more than she was prepared to show. Better that than…well, anything else. So the skin-tight black undershirt he wore molded itself rather well on his muscular chest. So it looked satiny to the touch, a stark color-contrast to the bared white skin of his arms. So she wondered what it would feel like to be touched by the hand beneath the glove, the body beneath the black. Big deal. Her blood pressure could do without the distress.
Ah, so the ice goddess returns. Sanzo noted the cool expression on her face. He should have known. She was looking at him and yet through him, as though he were a cockroach she'd suddenly found in her bed. Again. Knowing her, it would have taken only that "Leave before you get your arms cut off" look to drive away even the most amorous of demons. No. He'll leave his whoremonger friend out of this. It was enough, this negativity that he felt, as the memory of the moonlit night slowly leached away into the usual watchfulness and restlessness of day, overcast as it was. Oh well. A part of him was relieved…the mission was safe as long as he remained detached from the people he met. Otherwise, he'd linger…or rather, waste time. "Don't mention it. You looked cold." You always do.
"Well I wasn't." It is goddamned inconvenient having you around. I don't need looking after. I used to like the cold well enough. Yukaeshi shivered.
"My mistake." What the hell was I thinking? She doesn't want help from anyone. And I certainly don't need the distraction. Idiot. He narrowed his eyes, trying to pierce the obscuring clouds to see the sun. Damn. He wondered how much precious time had already gone. A cigarette would taste just right about this time. But he'd given them all away.
She'd turned her head to the side and was looking at the remains of the bar. "Looks like they're done with the place. Shouldn't you go look for your charges?" Why don't you get dressed already? Take the damned robe!
"Oh I will…as soon as you let go of my hand."
A short silence followed Sanzo's dry tone. Yukaeshi's cheeks flamed again. Kuso. It had felt so natural, so right when she'd taken his hand last night. It still did, which is why she'd so easily overlooked that they were still joined in the handclasp underneath the fall of cotton. Damn and damn and double damn.
*"Palm to palm is holy palmer's kiss…"*
Yukaeshi tried to extricate her hand now, but Sanzo held fast, partly out of sheer perversity. "Gojyo and Goku would have probably passed out by now, either from the effects of battle, booze or bickering…or all three. Why should I bestir myself for those layabouts?"
He wouldn't' let her go that easy. If he took off his glove, he'd be sure to feel her pulse, beating strongly. The agitation was something he shared. If he let go now, he instinctively knew that she'd make sure all contact would be terminated. Permanently. The idea, he realized, did not appeal to him. "And why are you in such a hurry, all of a sudden?"
He was mocking her. Damned if she'd use her other hand, for the damned monk to steal. "None of your business. Let go." I should've broken contact the minute I woke, Yukaeshi fumed. Somewhere at the back of her mind, her more sensible self crowed: You've got that right, honey. Yukaeshi's other self, the strange, ungovernable and impulsive one she'd thought she'd buried with her parents, just cackled madly at her predicament. Oh God. She was turning into her split-personality sister. And this arrogant bastard was responsible.
She still wouldn't look at him. Sanzo lifted his free hand and gently turned her chin towards him. They stared at each other. His eyes were questioning. Hers were wary and vulnerable at the same time.
*Have saints not lips…and holy palmers too? *
"Why are you trying to run away from me? Why won't you let me…" he began.
"Don't ask…" she said on a whisper of breath.
"Then I won't…" With no other warning, Sanzo kissed her. He stole her already scant breath, breathed in her sigh, gave back his own. The exchange was anything but simple, but it fell into the breathing pattern so perfectly, it seemed as though they were of one body. His arm went around her, her head rested upon his shoulder, the kiss continued. Her back lowered on the ground, his body moved in to brush against hers, their bodies locked as an extension of the kiss. Their fingers remained twined. Their tongues brushed, tangled, came apart. Someone moaned. Neither could tell who made the sound, even when it was heard again. Back and forth, they breathed. Back and forth, tongue-to-tongue, skin-to-skin, they touched.
Just as suddenly as they'd kissed, they broke apart.
Sanzo looked down at Yukaeshi, marveling at his body's reactions to her nearness. He should be all cramped up in this awkward position, but surprisingly, her pliant receptiveness fit quite comfortably. Well, maybe comfortable wasn't the right word. His body had hardened, his temperature was up, he could feel the flush along his cheeks, the fire in his blood, as though he'd just drunk from the finest bottle of sake. He wondered what she was thinking, if she was feeling the same things. He wondered if she was having trouble keeping stable and not spontaneously combusting. He wanted to kiss her again, while searching for a hint of the same precarious balance in her expression. But her midnight-hair shaded her eyes…she was hiding from him, from her own reactions. Ostrich. He moved, intending to brush the dark locks away, when the sight of his shaking hand arrested him. Well. What next? But then again, how something so rough, so callused, had been allowed to touch her softness…it was surprisingly humbling. Had he been rough with her? Had he bruised her? Desire simmered just below the surface…a moment before it had seared through his limbs and had broken his iron control. When it came to her, it appeared he was disgustingly easy to provoke. He should put a little more distance between them. Sit up maybe. Yeah right, like that would help. Like it hadn't been driving him crazy since the day they'd met to have her so near, and yet locked away from him…by the shield of space between their bodies…by her unfathomable mind…
Yukaeshi couldn't look him in the eye, not just yet. Maybe after she took in more oxygen. Maybe after she didn't feel so goddamned fragile in his *gulp* near-naked embrace. She felt herself hyperventilating, breaking into a cold sweat. Not even fighting demons was this much trouble. All of a sudden, it pissed her off that she could be so bothered over a kiss, while he was probably watching her with that smirk of his, wondering when she'd get it together. In defiance of her own tremulous feelings, Yukaeshi blew her bangs away. Who knew the damned things had grown so long? Mou. She scowled up at Sanzou, who'd sat up, placing a little distance between them. He wasn't looking at her, but staring at his hand. Bemused. Almost…confused. It hit her right then. He's so beautiful. His porcelain skin glowed with health, its clarity enhanced by a slight flush along high cheekbones. The gilt in his hair was like a halo around his face, against the darkness of the sky he seemed like an avenging angel. She swallowed a protest as he ran the hand he'd been studying a second ago, ran it violently through his hair. How the golden tresses could irritate him was a mystery to her. She wanted to feel its softness on her cheek, on her skin. She wanted to be the one to smooth it over his scalp, learn its texture, whenever it fell across his face. And that hand…she wanted to feel its warmth again. She craved his touch. He chose that moment to look back at her, his gaze partially concealed by absurdly long lashes. She drew a sharp breath. May the Buddha guard her from Sanzo's knowing eyes; the amethyst orbs burned with pure intensity. It seemed as though he were probing her soul.
"Daijoubu desu ka?" He took their linked hands, kissed the back of her hand, each tapered cuticle, blew into her palm…all the time gazing at her widening eyes and dilating pupils.
Whoever said holding hands was an innocuous gesture of affection was dead wrong, Yukaeshi thought. It's damned erotic. Pinpricks of heat shivered across her skin, setting off small explosions of heat across her body. She closed her eyes to savor the sensation…then opened them again in shock when Sanzo suddenly took her middle finger into his mouth, sucking gently as he took it in, then raking with his teeth on the way back, right to the tip.
Sanzo released Yukaeshi's hand and slowly, fluidly, slid his body on hers again, reaching to cradle her head in his hands. Looking straight into her eyes, he uttered a single, deadpan sentence: "I want to be inside you." Body. Mind. Heart. All at once.
Lightning streaked across the sky. Thunder rolled, crashing above their heads. The clouds chose this moment to dump water on their heated bodies. It made no difference. The air crackled around them, as though the lighting had lit their bodies from the inside. They kept staring at each other, barely breathing.
*"Here comes the rain again…falling on my head like a memory…falling on my head like a new emotion…"*
They were both getting wet, their clothes sticking to their bodies, but their mingled body heat remained high. Tiny rivulets of water slid from Sanzo's hair onto Yukaeshi's face, and she opened her mouth to take in the moisture. A fierce expression on his face, Sanzo closed his eyes from the temptation of kissing her again without leave, waiting for her answer.
*"I want to kiss like lovers do, I want to dive into your ocean…"*
Sanzo caught himself nearly praying to a nonexistent god that she wouldn't reject him. He dwelled on the bitter irony of that, and on the great possibility of having yet another bad memory to accompany rain, if she said no.
*"Here comes the rain again, falling on my head like a tragedy…falling on my head like a new emotion…"*
"Onegai..."
With bated breath, Sanzo waited.
"You must be cold. I will be too…"
Sanzo suspected she was trying to go on easy on him. He prepared himself to be torn apart by her refusal.
"If you don't continue."
Sanzo's eyes snapped open. Half-believing the phrase he thought he heard her speak was a result of wishful thinking, Sanzo didn't act as swiftly as he would've, and instead looked to Yukaeshi for added confirmation. Are you sure? his eyes asked.
Yukaeshi tentatively smoothed the lines on his serious face, slid her fingers into the wet strands of his hair. There was nothing tentative, however, in the way she lifted her face, and kissed him, pouring her whole self into the act.
To hell with not being ready…Everything had been leading up to this moment. Let the lightning fall. The arrows of Eros had already struck. Let the thunder roar. It could not drown their synchronized heartbeats. Let the rain pour. It cleansed their bodies for the sacred union. Yukaeshi was through with pretending she didn't want him back.
The heavens may protest, the earth may quake and rumble with anger…this is beyond duty or desire…you are a goddess to me and I shall worship at your shrine. Sanzo surprised himself with the violence of his feelings. Cynically, he wondered if had fallen in love with his recalcitrant companion. Who was he kidding? That kind of mush had never entered his head before her. No doubt about it, he'd gone and done a stupid thing…only, it didn't seem so stupid and felt quite good actually. Liberating. Wonderfully exhilarating. And whether she realized it or not, she was giving more than her body to him. She'd completely surrendered herself.
Caught in the eye of the storm, Sanzo and Yukaeshi were oblivious to everything but each other.
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* "Palm to palm…Have saints not lips…?" Romeo and Juliet, Act 1*
*"Here Comes The Rain Again" by the Eurythmics*
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He'd gone. Hinata sat frozen, as her mind fumbled with the realization that Homura had not stayed to listen to her explanation.
Hakkai slowly straightened from his prone position, and took her cold hands in his, rubbing them together to create a little warmth. Distractedly, Hinata glanced at him.
"He thought…you and I…he wouldn't…"
"He'll come back." Hakkai's smooth voice was meant to provide comfort, but Hinata found none. The sight of Homura's ravaged face hovered before her eyes. How could she find peace?
"I know you mean well…but please, I want to be alone right now."
Hakkai stopped massaging Hinata's hands and looked at her tight, white face…and though he felt she shouldn't be alone at this moment, he could see she meant what she'd said. He briefly kissed the hands he held, and stood up. "Call if you need me, I'll hear you. I…I'm sorry he had to see that." And he really was. He didn't like seeing her in pain. At the same time, the devil in his brain whispered to him: This is your chance. She's vulnerable right now. You saw how he just left; he doesn't deserve her. What kind of man or demon would just leave the woman he loves to some other man? Hakkai squelched the urge to act with dishonorable intent. Perhaps a demon or a god had different standards. But as for him, the person Hinata remembered loving was a man, and if he hoped to keep that part of himself, even in memory…if he hoped to keep her affections, even as a mere friend, he would do well to act as that man would've wanted. Having decided that, Hakkai slipped on the faint smile he always wore, back in place.
Hinata noticed the sickly sweet smile Hakkai wore and shook off her abstraction for a moment to reassure him. "You couldn't have known he was coming. Neither of us was paying attention, but then again, we have no control over how his mind would jump to conclusions. Please…" She suddenly felt exhausted.
Hakkai knew she wanted him gone. Inwardly, he sighed. Trust in Hinata to see through his disguise. Though he wanted it otherwise, his presence was of no help to her. He bowed low, and then vanished.
Hinata thought she had wanted to cry in peace. But her eyes remained dry. What she felt was beyond tears, beyond sorrow. She hadn't known until this moment how much she'd come to care for Homura. How careless. How foolish! How utterly imbecilic of her not to have known when her very heartbeat sounded out his name. I will not cry.
The heavens opened up and wept for her. Great thunderclouds had been gathering in the wake of Homura's exit, now they spent their burden, no longer able to bear the weight. Slashes of lightning fell on the ground around Hinata, but did not come nearer than thirteen yards.
He's jealous. He's angry. He can't bear to touch me, even in anger. Hinata watches as each lightning rod danced closer and closer, only to disintegrate before she could even feel its blue flame on her clammy skin. A gust of wind came nearest, drying the clothes that clung too close to her skin, now almost blown away from her. The wind whipped unmercifully anything that stood against it. Trees fell, scattering leaves and displacing innumerable birds that squawked their confusion to a deaf god. He wouldn't be this angry if he'd ceased to care…Slowly she stood up, noting how the dance of fire became more frenzied by the minute. Good. She'll use his anger to make him come closer. "COWARD! WHY DON'T YOU COME NEAR ME INSTEAD OF DANCING AROUND ME! IF YOU WANT ME DEAD THEN YOU'D BETTER DO IT YOURSELF! YOU EXHIBIT YOUR WRATH BUT YOU HIDE YOUR FACE? SHOW YOURSELF!"
The earth cracked at a point in front of her feet, extending into the farthest scope of her eyes. Fallen trees caved in, swallowed inside the newly formed abyss. The mountain crumbled at the sides, forming cliffs of cut rock, the bottom of which sank into what appeared to be the edge of a sea that hadn't been there but a while ago. Waves whirled in a mad dance of death, as the surf broke its spine on the jagged edges of the rocks, scattering in dark droplets and white foam, only to re-form in order to crash again.
"I'm not doing all of this by myself you know…" Hinata froze at the sound of Homura's voice at her back. Slowly, she turned around.
He was standing negligently near the cliff's edge, surrounded by a force field of fire, as though he'd come to wage war. "Nature is picking up signals from both of us." He gave her a smile that didn't reach his eyes, and swept a mocking bow. "You called…my lady?"
You came. Never one to beat around the bush, Hinata nevertheless found herself hesitating a second before she was able to ask him, as it turned out, something other than what she had had in mind "Why did you leave?". She nearly kicked herself. That sounded so gauche. One of the three of voices ringing inside her head rang out louder than the other two: Why didn't you just ask him if he loves you still? That might make it a little less obvious how worried you are that he's changed his mind. For once, the other two agreed. At least I kept my voice from quavering. Hinata felt like a total jerk.
"Because I wanted to kill your lover and I knew you wouldn't let me." The unseen wind played with his dark hair, giving him a certain reckless quality; there was restlessness in the way he tossed his head back to keep the strands from obscuring his eyesight.
Hinata was slightly distracted by the sudden cessation of noise inside her head before the words that caused it registered…and her eyes widened at his plain speaking. Homura was still smiling, or rather, gritting his teeth in a parody of a smile, cold and feral. His eyes seemed to be looking through her and at something else. Hinata looked over her shoulder, half-expecting Hakkai to materialize like the previous periodic episodes when Hakuryuu seemed to be everywhere she went, until she'd gotten irritated and her dragon-brother, who also had a tendency of appearing and disappearing at odd times, had rounded on Hakkai's hapless pet. But there was nothing and no one there. The wind had quieted down, but the air still crackled with electricity, as though nature had gotten tired after her tantrum, and was waiting to be wound up and riled again. Hinata turned back to Homura, and almost jumped when she realized he'd come closer, close enough that now she felt as though she were the only target for his eyes, as though he were stalking her every movement. He didn't give any appearance of haste, but she felt his presence slowly closing in. It unnerved Hinata enough for her to stammer out an unthinking response: "He isn't my lover…"
"Sou desu ka?" A maddened wave splintered a rock and sucked it into its cold depths. The exploding surf seemed to swell with gratification, and renewed its onslaught. "Whatever he may come to mean to you, I know that he loves you. And you care for him. Admit it."
"He isn't." Hinata all but growled. "I've never lied to you…" She broke off at Homura's raised eyebrow. "Once…and that doesn't count because I didn't know you then. You must be severely unhinged if you thought Hakkai and I were…we weren't doing anything, we haven't done anything and are not likely to. He's my friend. He may have been someone else to me before, but so was I, someone else I mean, and I am not that person now."
"His head was on your lap." Homura's voice was colorless, every neutralized word achieving the same effect as a careful insult. "He was acting as though he had the right, as though he owned you."
"Argh!" Hinata was pissed off enough to march straight at him, punch a hole inside the barrier, then extend her arm and poke him on his chest with a strategic finger. "You listen to me, and get it through your stubborn, thick skull, I am my own person…nobody owns me, and no one has the right to touch me without a by-your-leave, so stop insulting both me and my friend. And why am I explaining myself to you anyway? I must be light-headed from all that…"
Homura took her by the wrist and jerked her into his arms, so suddenly, that the breath whooshed out of Hinata and she was unable to finish her sentence, unable to do anything but rest quietly in his embrace, surrounded by the light of his barrier, only now, it kept the world out while enfolding them in a cocoon of warmth. "I was jealous." He whispered fiercely into her ear. "You should know; you're not obtuse. I was near insanity. I had to leave you with him, and the moment I did, I wanted to come back and rip his lungs out. The only thing that stopped me was this horrible idea that you'd fall all over his dead body and try to bring him back to life. And if you'd succeeded, I'd have attacked him again, and so on, until we both got tired…and listen to me, I'm not making sense, even to myself." He paused, still cradling her in front of his tense body. "I hated to see how much you cared for someone other than me." The last sentence was softly stated, and Homura expelled a pent-up breath, releasing most of his anger, and replacing it…with something else. Something vibrant and alive and tense with awareness at how close they were, and of how thin their clothes had become, after days of traveling their separate routes, and after weathering the quieting storm that seemed to have lasted for days and not a mere two hours, only to coalesce into this moment of intimacy.
"I'm a selfish bastard." Even as he said it, Homura was nestling her closer to him, his hands learning the contours of her back, tracing a disturbing path down her spine, curving over her fanny. His bi-colored eyes had become narrowed in concentration, focusing intently upon her mouth. Hinata thought she saw a hint of calculation in the flicker of his eyelashes, a full second before he lowered his head, kissed her eyelids, the tip of her nose, the corner of her mouth, and then slowly traced her lips with his tongue, parting them and sliding in, briefly, just enough for her to get a taste of him, like chocolate melting before she could fully savor the sweetness. Hinata bit back a frustrated moan as his hot mouth moved on to the soft skin where her jaw and neck met, nipping there, near the faded mark of the love-bite he'd placed…oh, it seemed like eons ago. He's good at this, the sly bastard.
It felt so good to have her back in his arms, Homura found difficulty keeping to his intention of seducing her, and not being seduced instead. His body was like a furnace, and yet his stomach clenched partly out of fear and not just arousal…he needed to make this right, he had to…he wanted her so bad it hurt, but he wanted her to feel it too. Damn, when did she start smelling like vanilla? He found himself inhaling the scent on her heated skin, wondering if he licked at it, would he be able to taste vanilla as well…Homura shook his head a little, to un-fog his brain. If she had even a tenth of his desire then she'd forget all about that annoying pest of a demon. I'll make her forget…
The slight pressure of his hands at her hips urged her into a tighter embrace, and her breasts encountered the solidity of his chest. She fought to keep her hands still, preventing herself from feeling her way into his clothing. She had a sudden mad urge to find out the texture of his chest when bared, wondered how it would feel like against her skin. She could feel his pebbled nipples through their clothes, and Hinata figured he probably felt hers as well...they ached, and her wayward self considered asking him to kiss and make them feel better. Obviously, she was rapidly losing her mind, she thought wryly, while Homura remained in control. So far he was limiting his maddening stop-then-resume exploration to her back and sides. But probably not for long…This close, Hinata couldn't help noticing that he was becoming aroused. The proof was prodding her on the stomach. Hinata's face caught fire, and the rest of her body, already tingling deliciously in response to his teasing caresses, followed suit. "Matte…dame…" She didn't know whether she was asking him or herself to slow down, or more wisely, stop.
She'd turned her head to the side, in an effort to hide her embarrassment, perhaps to gain a little composure, but couldn't refrain from gasping when his hand cupped her breast through her blouse, learning its shape. Moving his mouth to her ear, Homura had to swallow once before he was able to whisper, "Am I bothering you, koishii?" He'd discovered how soft and sensitive her earlobes were, and he nibbled one of them, making her shiver. Hinata felt surrounded by him…inundated by the sensation of liquid heat flowing between them, invading their bodies and rushing through their pores. She gave up resistance and slid her hands on his chest, spanning the breadth of his shoulders before linking her hands at the back of his neck. Adopting a back-and-forth motion, she continuously brushed against him, allowed his left leg to part her thighs and rub against the very heart of her…
"Why don't you stop me?" So sweetly responsive, so damned selfless. And he was using her. He'd launched a campaign to drown her senses and he'd succeeded, never mind that his needs were being satisfied while hers…remained unclear. She hasn't given me her permission. He'd confused her and now he was taking advantage of her. He was so turned on, he didn't care that they were in the middle of a goddamned field and perhaps caught in a renewed tempest, he was going to take her. Her body is saying yes…
Hinata trembled with reaction and couldn't bring herself to say anything. Not just yet. She wanted to lose herself in his touch…in his kisses…why wasn't he kissing her for real? His elusive mouth was now moving down her neck, his hands were playing with the sash tied at her hip and all he had to do was pull it for her black over-blouse to come apart…the buttons at her neck had already gone…the leather pants were tricky, but manageable…as for her boots, she couldn't count the number of times she'd easily kicked them off, they were unlaced anyway…and oh why was he so still all of a sudden, why did he stop…
"If I don't stop now…I won't." Homura was breathing hard, and the forehead he rested on her own was moist with sweat. Putting his hands on her shoulders, he peeled himself away from her, sucking in a breath at the loss of contact. He couldn't do it. He couldn't seduce her without conscience. And a fine time it was to grow a damned conscience, he thought in resignation. If this weren't so serious, he'd be laughing at himself. The eyes he'd closed but a moment ago now looked directly at Hinata's, willing her to understand, willing her to realize the importance of his words. "Do you want this? Do you want me?" It was the first time he'd ever asked those questions. It was the first time he was ever unsure of the answer. Despite her body's response, despite the dazed look in her eyes, or maybe because of that, he wanted to be reassured of her mind's decision.
"What was he asking? Why didn't he just kiss her senseless? That way…it wouldn't be her responsibility…that way she wouldn't have to…Oh, may the gods abandon her, did she just think that?" Hinata slowly became more aware of herself, of Homura shaking her ever so gently, impatient for her response. Did she actually just admit to wanting to be dominated…no, not just dominated, but for her choice to be disregarded? That was tantamount to…Homura deserved more than to be turned into a…
Homura saw sense returning to her eyes, and he couldn't stand the suspense…the sweat on his skin turned clammy with fear. Did he just do a stupid thing? No…he was acting with the best intentions. If they were to make love, he wanted it to mean something. "Hinata…I love you. I want to make love to you, again and again and again…" He broke off, flushing as his mind recalled every heated fantasy he'd envisioned from the moment he started obsessing over her. He gulped in more air, tried steadying his heartbeat. No such luck. When he spoke again, his voice had grown husky with need. "Koishii, I really, really want to get naked with you…will you let me?"
Hinata had fallen still. Homura realized something that made his heart drop down to his stomach. She'd never told him she loved him back. Not once.
The seconds ticked by.
Hinata wouldn't look up. Homura's hands dropped listlessly to his sides. His head tilted downward, his hair hiding the expression on his face. Then, without warning, he ran to the edge of the cliff and in one powerfully smooth move, swan-dived into the dark depths of the roiling sea.
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"What happened to him?" Hakkai's pleasant face was composed, if a bit puzzled, as he took in Goku's drooping form slung over the arm of Gojyo, who was shaking, positively quivering really, with suppressed laughter. "Gojyo," a hint of reproach in the carefully modulated voice, "what did you do to him?"
"Me? I didn't do anything…" Unceremoniously, the river demon dumped his load onto the back of Jeep. Goku hit his head on a railing, but continued snoring away, totally worn out. Every now and then he would interrupt his snores with a burp. Gojyo slung his lanky frame over onto the front passenger seat. "I should be praised for my restraint actually, since this kid just cost me Ms. Lavender's proffered company. Oh no my friend, it wasn't me, but a tiny bit of a girl who slugged our little monkey here. He was discourteous enough to…ah…get into a bit of an accident with the lady."
Hakkai smiled. Over the months they'd spent together, and even before that as generals in the army of heaven, Gojyo had learned the minute gradations between Hakkai's smiles. This one was his slightly incredulous one. "Our Goku made a pass at a girl?"
"I don't know what exactly his intentions were, but he rather abruptly deposited regurgitated beer on her lap." Gojyo chuckled at the memory. "Naturally, she was displeased."
"Naturally." Hakkai agreed, starting Jeep. When he'd decided to come looking for his travel companions, he'd headed directly to the nearest tavern, figuring that Gojyo would've needed a beer, and Goku a food platter. He hadn't known that he'd be just in time to provide them a getaway from irate patrons. As he backed out of the clearing and onto the dirt road, he shot a mildly exasperated look over at Gojyo. "Getting him into the state before the actual scrape is your doing, I assume."
"Ah…you recognize the handiwork of a master." Gojyo grinned unrepentantly. "I thought I'd help out a friend to get over a girl, a memorable experience in lieu of love, a buzz to get over the bite, you get my drift? Watching him humiliate himself was just a perk…I hadn't thought that far. I did good, ne?"
"Well…you had good INTENTIONS I'd grant you that." Hakkai said obligingly. He had long gotten over reforming (and refining) the river demon's methods, although thankfully there was nothing questionable about Gojyo's motives. The two friends rarely clashed, and Gojyo cleaned up his own messes, although occasionally Hakkai had dipped in a helping hand, sight unseen.
"So where are we off to now?" Gojyo settled comfortably on his seat, his hands linked and clasping the back of his head.
"We're looking for Sanzo and then continuing west, of course." Noncommittal. He hoped the neutral tone would make Gojyo refrain from asking if they'd be accompanying the sisters who were in the last leg of their journey.
"Ah…sou ka." Gojyo nodded sagely, taking the hint. "And do we know where the almighty heretic is?"
"Not a clue." Hakkai's eyes crinkled as he smiled. Gojyo always knew the right—and to the redhead's discredit, also the wrong—things to say.
"So, what you're saying is, we're driving around aimlessly until Sanzo decides to put in an appearance, mayhap at some abandoned dirt road, and when least expected." Gojyo studied Hakkai from the corner of his eyes.
"Pretty much. I rather like driving around right now."
"Whatever suits your fancy." Gojyo could also be obliging when he wanted to.
"Maa…"
They enjoyed the comfortable silence only friends of long-standing have.
"Hakkai?"
"Nan desu ka?"
"I don't need to have any good intentions toward you right now…do I?" Gojyo's tone was as usual, playful, but the watchfulness in his eyes remained trained on Hakkai.
Jeep bumped over some rock on the road. Or maybe it was a boulder. The driver appeared unperturbed. Goku got another bop on the head—he'll be having headaches on top of the hangover when he wakes up. Gojyo kept his seat but was slightly disturbed by his companion's smile. Charming. Deadly. Hurting. It had Hinata written all over it.
"No, Gojyo. Good intentions appreciated but unnecessary."
Gojyo nodded thoughtfully. Beer isn't a cure-all, if anyone knew that for a fact it would be him, and he hadn't wanted to bring out his secret recipe. Tricky brew to prepare. The last batch turned out near fatal. He'd rather not risk it on his best friend. He slanted another long look at Hakkai's pure profile. "Been years since I've threatened you with my meddling, ne? Hyaku? Nihyaku?"
Hakkai grinned. "Sanbyaku. Sumanai. I'll try to make you worry more."
Gojyo sighed. "You said that the last time. No fun, Hakkai." The sentences were softly spoken. Three hundred years ago, when both of them had served in the Great Army, Hakkai had been harboring the purest form of anger…he'd burned with it, awed Gojyo with its barely-checked violence. Only vestiges of that passion remained, with Hakkai lashing out every now and then if provoked. It took rather a lot for him to be provoked, and the green-eyed demon had been as self-contained as ever. Until they'd met up with the sisters. Almost as though Hakkai had been unable to help himself, Gojyo had seen his friend jump from one emotion to the other. He would miss that. He'd rather have that, than the perpetual easy pleasantry so basic to Hakkai nowadays.
"Cheer up Gojyo. You may yet have to force your nasty spirits down my throat." Hakkai sent him a soft smile and an understanding look. Of course, he had the sneaking suspicion that what he'd just said may actually be true. He was friends with Hinata, after all. Just that and nothing more. *…I see your face / stars seem to lose their place / why must I think of you / for all my days remaining…*
Gojyo thought again. Maybe it was all for the best. "Not for another couple of lifetimes pal." He kept his eyes on the road this time. Trust Hakkai to know what would shut him up. Now, if only he could shut down his own mind's restlessness, his own heart's desires. Hakkai's heart-sickness, Sanzo's mission, even daily sparring with the monkey were distractions, but proved insufficient. As for the women…he'd only ever really loved one, and she'd tried to kill him. Sometimes he still wished his oniichan hadn't stopped her.
Sometimes, he wished…Gojyo surreptitiously glanced at Hakkai through lashes longer than most girls' were. He wished that Hakkai weren't such a good friend.
* "…if I told you that I loved you / you'd maybe think there's something wrong / I'm not a man of too many faces / the mask I wear is one / those who speak know nothing / and find out to their cost / like those who curse their luck in too many places / and those who smile are lost" *
Yep. Sometimes he wished that friendship weren't so important. Perhaps more important than mere love.
Jeep sped along, two of its passengers lost in thought and half-envying the unconscious third passenger who was firmly ensconced in dreamless, unthinking sleep.
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* "Why Should I Cry For You" and "Shape Of My Heart" (gifted gambler who won't gamble on love—lovely irony for Gojyo)" by Sting *
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The sweat and rain had dried on their bodies, but their heartbeats hadn't settled anywhere near the normal pace. Yukaeshi lay on top of Sanzo, her slighter body lifted in tandem with his breathing, her long hair forming a curtain of black around them. She moved languidly, playfully brushing the silky strands of her hair against Sanzo's bare chest, for which action she found herself flat on her back, being thoroughly kissed…
* "if the night turned cold and the stars looked down / and you hug yourself on the cold, cold ground / you wake the morning in a stranger's coat / no one would you see / you ask yourself, who'd watch for me / my only friend, who could it be / it's hard to say it / I hate to say it / it's probably me
Sanzo broke the kiss lingeringly, looking down at her and damning himself for the well of protectiveness that rose inside the heart he'd tried so hard to close off, cursing the luck that had brought him to care too well, too soon, and in the middle of a goddamned mission. Talk about bad timing! He arranged her hair, combing through it with fingers that still had a tendency to shake, smoothing the strands over her breasts, hiding them from his gaze, if not his touch…
*** you're not the easiest person I ever got to know / and it's hard for us both to let our feelings show***
Yukaeshi somehow felt the turmoil inside Sanzo, and she prayed for reality to keep back for a while, for time to stand still…just this once. She wanted to lose herself in this moment, and her eyes unconsciously implored Sanzo not to break the spell, not just yet. Looking back at her gravely, he traced the line down the bridge of her nose, her lips, that stubborn dent in her chin, down to her neck, both her breasts, her navel, and further…
** some would say / I should let you go your way / you'll only make me cry**
Sanzo slipped his finger inside her, watching her eyes close in both agitation and relief; he had acceded to wishes unvoiced. Even as she rose up to meet the slow movements of his hand, accepting him, eager for him, while tears leaked out from her closed lids… They disturbed him, those tears. Sanzo lowered his head and licked the salt away…
* if there's one guy / just one guy / who'd lay down his life for you and die / it's hard to say it / I hate to say it / it's probably me" *
My silent lover…you don't have to…Yukaeshi felt the tension build inside her. His maddening fingers…his tongue…he wouldn't…His mouth now followed the path his gently moving finger had traveled, from face to neck to breasts, to the navel he now speared with his flirting tongue…
** Today I am / …made of silence / made of glass / I am turning in your hand / I am shattering like light / scattering like night / laying down in pieces / I am laying down in pieces **
He did…he had…
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* "It's Probably Me" by Sting and "Small Blue Thing" by Suzanne Vega *
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"YOU MORON!" Hinata was shaking with the anger that had cracked through her frozen horror. She hadn't thought she'd be capable of movement or even of speaking, but that voice careening through the air had been hers, the body half-slung over the cliff's edge was hers, as were the eyes feverishly peering through the shadows, at the blithely swimming form of Homura. "WHAT IN THE NAME OF HEAVEN OR HELL WERE YOU THINKING! YOU COULD'VE BEEN KILLED!"
*with every step I thought of you / every footstep only you / …with every star or grain of sand… *
Homura slicked back his wet hair and grinned unrepentantly up at her. His normal voice carried effortlessly despite the distance between them. "Suspended arousal kills, too, you know. I thought this sub-zero water would be just the remedy. Besides, you were taking too long with your answer. I might have spontaneously combusted on the site." I couldn't stand another minute of your silence. I just wanted you to look at me again.
Hinata was looking at him with murderous intent. He couldn't see her blush anyway. Of all the stupid, reckless stunts to pull. She spoke through gritted teeth. "It would serve you right if I came down there to finish your botched job at killing yourself. You're insane!"
* …I'm mad about you…/…all my kingdoms turn to dust and fall into the sea / my enemies walk free / …there are no victories, there are no histories / without love /…tell me how much longer…"*
Homura concentrated on treading water and not voicing out his thoughts. He'd done too much talking anyway. Too much acting, too…and yet he still didn't have the sutra. He squinted up at Hinata. He didn't have her either. Now she was too far away for him to touch. Not that it would do him any good. "Why don't you come down and take me to task then?" He regretted the taunt as soon as it left his mouth. There seemed to be no other way down that cliff except through the means he'd employed, and he sure as hell didn't want her to try that.
Hinata's eyes narrowed into slits. The insensitive clod. Didn't he see how worried she was having watched his body hurtle down that cliff? Couldn't he tell? She loved him, for crying out loud! He should know…should…he doesn't know. Hinata sat back on her haunches, the anger knocked out of her. I've never told him. He could've died, and he wouldn't have known.
Stupid words come out of my mouth and not a peep out of her. Homura craned his neck, trying to see Hinata, who had moved back from the vantage point. Is she that disgusted? His mouth opened in shock, his eyes widened. He saw Hinata step toward the rim of the rocky cliff. Without a stitch of clothing on. Talk about peeping. A flash of bare skin and she'd jumped, straight as an arrow, into the waters. "Bloody hell!" Homura dived in after her, searching for her body underwater. Stupid woman! Hasn't she heard of sharp rocks underneath cliffs? And what the hell was she doing without her clothes? Where'd she go…when I get my hands on her, I'll…
Homura came up for air, and was about to dive in again when he heard Hinata drawl, "Worried you, didn't I?" The cheeky brat was behind him. How'd she get past…oh, forget about that and shake some sense into that baka no onna. His hands clamped down on Hinata's shoulders. He resolutely ignored her naked state and barked out, "What possessed you! And after giving me that lecture!"
The guy was coming close to sputtering. It would have been funny, if Hinata hadn't been so nervous. Did I just do that? I'm here, I actually jumped, I'm freezing—ye gods I'm naked! I really did it—I should just go out and say my piece…'I wasn't thinking'…damn it, I think I've lost my nerve."
He was still shaking her. If his hands slipped a little and ran down her bare arm, caressing the soft inner skin from elbow to shoulder-joint, it was for warmth…Her skin's so creamy, not quite tan nor plainly white…her lashes are all spiky…her mouth…I want to kiss her again…" Still holding her an arm's length away, Homura ducked his head into the water, willing his body to cool down, adopt the temperature of the water…Bad idea…He closed his eyes underwater, but it was of no use. He'd seen her naked body, gleaming palely in the black waters. A VERY bad idea…her breasts begged to be kissed…keep your eyes closed, damn it! The water temperature was less than 40 degrees and yet his body was nearing boiling point. Great. Just great. More torture for Homura. If he'd done the universe wrong, he was heartily sorry for it now…she was so close but she wasn't his…he couldn't…shouldn't…
He was shaking. Was he that angry? Hinata bit her lip and shivered. Maybe he's just cold. Ducking underwater, she beheld Homura with his eyes tightly closed, and his mouth, that sensual mouth, now in a thin line. Were his jaws locked because he was freezing? Titling her head back, out of the water, she experienced a sensation of warmth. Oh wow, the first sign of hypothermia kicking in. Hinata frowned. Homura should come up for air; he's been down there long enough. Her hands cupped Homura's cheeks and urged him to come up.
What now? Homura started breathing again. Opening his eyes, he decided Hinata's face was a safer image to focus on than her chest. She looked pissed…definitely not amorous. If anyone had a right to get mad, it was he. How dare she be so tempting and keep so out of reach, emotionally? Gah. He glowered at her.
Hinata forced herself to speak despite his quelling look. "You wanted an answer. Well…I've known for a while now…" He still looked a tad discouraging…but interested. Hinata clung to the latter quality. "I'm in love with you." The words rushed out of her mouth without further preamble. He looked thunderstruck. "So there it is, I gotta go now…"
She was able to swim a few meters away before his arms wrapped themselves around her legs, hauled her into an upright frontal position, and crushed her to him. Oh hell, I'm in trouble, Hinata was able to think before his mouth ravaged hers and all thought fled. She melted into his embrace, savored his taste in her mouth, played with his tongue, breathed a bit of his soul into her…maybe it was hypothermia, but the water had suddenly turned warm and the ice in her veins melted away as her blood heated. Their legs entangled, her bare thighs skimming his pant-covered ones, but they had to separate so Homura could keep them afloat. Hinata's body had the consistency of water; she felt entirely boneless and could barely control her limbs to be of any practical use.
He should let them come up for air. Homura lifted his mouth, breathing as though he'd just swum a million miles. He gained a certain degree of satisfaction at seeing the dazed look in her eyes. He decided he'd better go all the way else she'd be disappointed. What a hardship. With a feral smile and a wicked glint in each eye, he bit her lower lip, swallowed her gasp, and filled her mouth with moisture. He wished his hands could be freer, but he had enough trouble keeping her close to him. He broke the kiss to whisper in her ear, "Itoshii, anchor your legs around my waist." His palms cupped her shapely bottom to boost her up as she lifted herself with the hands that clung to his neck. The movement enabled him to slide his mouth down her neck…he buried his nose in between her breasts to inhale more of her vanilla scent, licked his way to her left breast, and traced the aureole with his tongue.
Hinata's heart literally skipped a beat and she couldn't keep back a moan as she felt him take her breast into his mouth and suckle with voracious appetite. His hands held her upper body suspended over the water, and she shivered as the wind danced its way around her exposed skin, making a path of goose bumps.
She tastes so sweet. Homura had transferred his attentions to her right breast, delighting in the sounds he wrung from her, loving the feel of her pebbled nipple in his mouth. His whole body pulsed, unsatisfied by their hampered lovemaking, but he had no intention of stopping it. Delaying, maybe, the thought ran through his mind, while I look for a more appropriate place. He lifted himself up and scanned the shoreline, spotting a formation of large rocks that shielded a patch of sand from the merciless wind. It could fit two people quite comfortably, that is, if they wanted to be as close as possible to each other…and they did.
Hunger knawed at him, intensified by every slight move she made. We'll drown if we keep this up. His leg hit something to his right. Ow, ow…bloody h—now isn't this convenient…They'd managed to reach a flattened piece of rock, probably smoothed over by the swells of water running back and forth across it's surface. Gently, he backed Hinata towards it and lifted her to lie upon it, following her down…
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* "Mad About You" by Sting* Funnily enough, you know exactly what I've been listening to while in the process of writing this fic, ha-ha.
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Goku's head ached like hell, and his mouth seemed lined with sandpaper. He cursed Gojyo and the kappa's deceptive drinks, tried recalling what exactly had happened before he'd passed out…what he'd done to merit the right hook from that girl…Had she actually been blue or had his eyes been playing tricks on him? Pretty color, strange girl…He could hear Gojyo's annoying sugary voice saying something to Hakkai…good old Hakkai…Aaack, my head…I'll never drink again, I swear, just get my head back on straight…ow, my stomach…Hakkai was saying something now, he sounded weird…
*He sounds like he's missing / something or someone / that he knows he can't have now / and if he isn't / I certainly am *
Goku wondered where Hinata-chan had gone… She left and all that was left was a turnip…I went to the tavern to find…Food…I think I'm hungry but my stomach… Gojyo's voice again… This is his entire fault, the stupid cockroach! Grr… Hakkai was saying something… Ow, can't those two quit yapping? Hakkai is talking about looking for Sanzo. Sanzo…he'd know what to do…yes, find Sanzo…
Goku shut his eyes again, welcoming sleep and feeling a lot better now that they were on their way to Sanzo.
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* "In Liverpool" by Suzanne Vega *
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In the interests of self-preservation, the writer begs respite. Unless you want a bullet lodged in your brain and a katana rammed through your throat, you don't want to interrupt Yukaeshi and Sanzo at this precise moment (or snoop in on them any more than we already have). Moving on…
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"Ouch!" Hinata's outcry blasted in Homura's ear. Ow. Homura, slightly deafened, looked down at her in chagrin.
The rock, though relatively smooth, was still a hard, unyielding piece of rock.
Hinata burst out laughing. "If you could only see your face…" She sputtered in merriment.
Her eyes sparkle when she laughs. Homura found he had to fight a smile tugging at his lips, although that seemed the only part of him capable of movement. The rest of him felt likely to explode if he fell into motion. "I'm sorry…" he said tenderly.
Hinata quit laughing, but now her nervousness was gone and she felt warmed by his somber gaze. "I'm not." She brought his head down for another one of those heart-wrenching, mind-drugging kisses that were his specialty. His clothes, soaked in moisture, provided a stimulating abrasion on her naked form. Her body started humming with pleasure. Definitely not sorry…
Homura broke the kiss. Against her mouth, he whispered, "Help me take my clothes off, beloved…"
The black shirt was a little hard to take off, but they managed, with a little muffled laughter, and a lot of touching. The latter slowed down the process a tiny bit. Lifting her a little, Homura placed the shirt on the rock, to serve as protection. When he turned his attention back to her, he noticed a blush had suffused her guileless face and spread through her whole body, and he saw the slight uneasiness within the caramel depths of her eyes, now that he was almost as naked as she was.
"I won't hurt you." He looked reassuringly into her eyes. I'd rather die than cause you heartache.
"I know you won't." Hinata dropped her gaze. I won't hurt you either, she wanted to say, but somehow she felt unsure. Everyone she had cared for had somehow died, except Yukaeshi, and that was a near thing. Yukaeshi was the Goddess of Life, she'd accepted her powers in time and that may have protected her…Hinata didn't want the curse to fall on Homura. But whom was she kidding? She was the curse. She was the Goddess of Death. Everything she touched…
Homura assumed her troubled expression was due to the discomfort of the rock at her back and rolled over the minimal space to lie on his back, cushioning her atop his body. "Is that better?"
Hinata nodded, managed to say, "Hai…much better. Arigatou." He had already gone through so much, if the scars on his chest were any indication. She started kissing them, keeping her tears at bay. I'll have to leave him. If I don't…he'll die.
Homura slipped his hand between her satiny thighs, felt her shudder and push into his hand, and the movement made her rise up to kiss him. Slick with water, his pants clung to him like a second skin, it seemed as though there were nothing separating their legs. She moaned as his hand continued caressing her, as his fingers slipped into her wet warmth in a thrusting motion mimicked by his tongue in her mouth.
The fire inside Hinata flowed, his touch made her burn hotter, his breath scorched her skin. Please… Hinata whispered the word in her mind, unable to think coherently, or command her vocal cords to function. But he seemed to know exactly what she wanted.
One. Two. Three. A few seconds was all it took to unbutton his pants, a whisper of cloth, and he was inside her, sliding in slowly.
Homura stopped breathing, literally. She's a virgin. The seconds stretched into minutes, as he forced his body to rest unmoving, barely inside her. Kuso, and I'd just promised not to hurt her. I should pull out now…She moved, tried to bring him closer…His breath whooshed back in so fast, it made him lightheaded for a moment…Sweat poured down his body as he braced her hips to keep still, as he contemplated sacrificing his pleasure…
One. He loved her. She'd entered the cracks in his soul and made him whole.
Two. She loved him, incredible as that was. He didn't want her to change her mind.
Three. They'd both gone too far to stop now—which was bullshit, because the one final step had not been taken, and he was just making excuses because he wanted so badly to take her and had already decided that he would have her.
"Hinata, please open your eyes." The caramel orbs revealed themselves a little reluctantly, Hinata showing a rather absurd but endearing shyness, considering the position they were in and after what he'd just been doing—and intended to keep on doing—to her. "Aishiteru." He murmured the word, looking into her eyes with burning intensity as he brought her hips down and fully entered her, his mouth cutting off the cry of pain that escaped from her. Then he stayed still for a moment, letting her body adjust to the unfamiliarity of his invasion…
Hinata breathed shallowly, surprised at how much it had hurt. Homura was looking down at her with apprehensive eyes, his face was stark both with the need to continue and the dread that she wouldn't forgive him for the hurt…but she knew, somehow she knew, that he would discontinue if that were her wish. The thought calmed her, the expression in his eyes soothed her, and the pain slowly dissipated. She remembered the words he said before he had entered her and with a heart-wrenching smile, repeated them "Aishiteru."
Homura jerked involuntarily inside her. Kuso. Slow down, you bastard. "Does it still hurt?" he asked.
Hinata moved her head from side to side, saying no, and arched her back, pressed her hips down, to take in more of him. With soft hands, she traced the angles of his face. This time her smile was a little more knowing, the temptress and not the innocent.
Homura felt himself beguiled by her expression, and ever so slowly, began their interrupted dance, watching desire flit across her face, watching her close her eyes and arch her neck, giving everything he had just to feel her arms embrace him, to feel her move into the rhythm he initiated, to surrender the pace to her…whatever she wanted…
He gave me control…Hinata felt her lips curving into a fierce-tender smile as she realized that Homura had given his much-prized control so that she wouldn't feel overwhelmed by him…and yet that was exactly what she did feel…awed, inspired, utterly under his power…he gave and she gave back in turn…moving closer and closer…feeling a cry welling up inside of her…feeling his strength anchor her, support her…as she rose higher and higher…
A wall of water surged as though caught in a whirlpool of air surrounding their two undulating figures, crashing away from them and drowning out their dual cries of fulfillment…
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Hinata willed her body to start functioning again, and decided to be more proactive instead of being a limp doll. She deliberately and slowly slid away from Homura, leaving a tantalizing impression of her lithe body, making him smile even deep in sleep and exhausted as he was. She sat there, looking at his sleeping form, thinking…
I will never be as happy as I was a few minutes ago.
Touching a trembling hand to her lips, she placed it on his…she then slipped into the water and with powerfully deliberate strokes, swam the few kilometers to shore, adding salt to the sea with her tears…
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"Sanzo? Sanzo!" Goku interrupted his tirade of recriminations at Gojyo and upended himself onto the front seats while hitting the brakes with his staff.
"Stupid moron!" Gojyo tried pushing off the monkey's flailing legs, but then decided to tackle Goku, dragging him to the back seat, where they started pummeling each other, with accompanying shouts.
"You're bleeding, Sanzo-san." Hakkai handed over a handkerchief he'd conjured from somewhere.
The two at the back stopped their fight to investigate. A trickle of blood fell from Sanzo's left ear, where a ruby shaped in the form of a crescent moon was attached. It seemed as though it had been shoved in with unwarranted force.
"The color suits you." Was all that Gojyo said.
"Sanzo, you ARE hurt!" Goku's worry far outweighed his annoyance with the red-haired demon.
Sanzo merely staunched the blood with Hakkai's handy hanky. "I don't know why I put up with you children. Fighting again?"
"He started it!" Goku began his tirade anew. "He took me to this tavern filled with WEIRD people, with the disgusting intention of getting me drunk…"
"I don't recall you objecting when we actually got there and you started in on Kotori AND her sister…"
"That's a lie!" The two started scuffling again in the backseat…
Hakkai waited for Sanzo to take out his fan and start hitting demon-heads, but the monk seemed to be lost in thought and unheeding of the rapidly escalating argument.
"Drive." Sanzo had had enough of Hakkai's staring, although there was a trace of gentleness beneath the surly tone, a mark of his respect for the other demon. Hakkai drove.
Yukaeshi. I will find you. You've given me a second mission. After this one…there's no escaping me. Never again.
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"You left him." Yukaeshi was waiting on the beach. Hinata's clothes were piled up next to her. Quietly, the younger sister started dressing.
"You know why." Hinata's voice was flat. She didn't look back.
"You've gained your full powers?"
Hinata shook her head. "Even so…" She had gotten stronger, recalled a little more of her distant past and recovered a piece of herself. Of course, she'd left a larger piece of her soul now…if not the whole…somehow, she felt empty.
"There was always the chance that you would risk the curse."
"Would you?"
"No." But then I am not you.
"Will we be joining the others?" Hinata tried to keep the dread away from her voice. The last thing she needed was the all-too sensitive, all-too perceptive person of Hakkai.
Sanzo. She'd left him swiftly, with the stealth ingrained in her. She would not stand in his way, nor would she allow him to stand in hers. "I think not." Sanzo. Gomen. As I feared, reality has intruded. Our destinies will move in separate currents from now on.
Homura following. "Maa…" Sayonara, beloved.
"It's for the best."
"We have no choice."
The sisters had spoken at the same time. The eyes that had been avoiding each other met with understanding, echoed sorrow and suppressed regret.
"Iku?"
"Iku, oneesan."
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Homura woke up and knew at once that she'd gone. Even before he opened his eyes, he felt the cold of her absence.
The waters surrounding the lovers' rock froze into ice.
Homura remained at its center, unmoving and utterly alone.
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Kanzeon Bosetsu sighed. "Is he now totally lost to us?"
The child she addressed continued playing with his stones. "The sea and all the creatures in it have been silenced. His heart is encased in the same frost."
"That is not the answer I sought." The child had no rejoinder. Kanzeon drooped in her chair. "He still loves her?"
"It will not matter. It will not be allowed to matter." This was said almost reluctantly. Kanzeon threw a sharp look at her companion.
"Poor child. The gift has proven to be a curse after all." Kanzeon was deliberately vague as to whom she referred to.
The child dropped a stone. It surprised him. "Perhaps…"
Kanzeon straightened. The two exchanged a single meaningful glance.
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* It won't do…to dream of caramel…and long for you…*
* Since you've been gone I've been lost without a trace
I dream at night I can only see your face
I look around and it's you I can't replace
I feel so cold and I long for your embrace *
* Dark rain will fall until I see your face
I close my eyes, I seem to hear the raindrops saying
You won't come back
You still thrill me
You still haunt me
You still touch me *
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"Caramel" by Suzanne Vega; "Every Breath You Take" and "You Still Touch Me" by Sting
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THE END