A/N: Hey guys! Sorry that's it's been awhile, but life's been a bitch
lately. Anyways, I hope you guys love this chapter, 'cause I adored
writing it.
Warning: The following chapter has sexual content in it, so please don't have a freak-out since it's been so long since I posted one of my wonderful lemon chapter. It has been awhile, huh? Well, please enjoy and please review, too! ^_^
Chapter 52
Enchantment
We dress quickly, the chill in the night air soon becoming too much to bear even in the luke-warm waters of the ocean. I don't bother to arrange my wet hair or reposition the numerous clasps and pins that are nestled safely inside my slippers. I go barefoot, as does Tasuki, his black boots tucked under one arm while his other wraps itself around my shoulders. I slip my arm around his waist and press my silk slippers close to my chest, afraid of losing one of the golden hair ornaments tucked inside.
We walk swiftly through the courtyards of the palace, not speaking for fear of alarming a guard or maid wondering what in hell we're doing wandering barefoot through the palace at night. The seraglio gates are open when we reach them, and I wonder for a moment if they are ever closed or locked as they are expected to be. The courtyard garden is deathly quiet, and only a few lamps flicker through the windows of the two buildings that surround it, telling us that not many of the courtesans are night owls. The dining room where our small wedding banquet was held is empty and its doors are closed, and for a moment I feel guilty that Tasuki and I didn't make at least a short appearance. But I'm sure our guests didn't mind our slipping away-they no doubt shared a few winks and knowing glances with each other when they saw we weren't present.
We reach my chambers, and Tasuki opens the door, holding it back to allow me to enter first. I give an affectionate glance over my shoulder as I make my way through the alcove and into my bedroom. A lamp sits forlornly upon my vanity table, already lit and making my room glow in its golden light. The lavender coverlet and the linens have been folded back for me, and I give them a bewildered look before turning around and giving the same look to Tasuki, who's placing his boots next to my monstrous wardrobe. He begins unfastening the straps that holds his enchanted fan to his back and slips it off, placing it reverently on a small table near my bed. He notices the turned-back linens and returns my puzzled look with a shrug and a grin.
"One of the maids did it probably," he explains, "Don't ask me why they do. I think I can manage my own damn sheets--"
My eyebrows arch in interest. I expected a maid or servant, but I certainly never expected them to ready my bed for me. How odd. It will take some time, no doubt, to get used to being treated so nicely, but I think I may enjoy it.
"I suppose people living in the palace are accustomed to it-they probably think nothing about it anymore," I comment, turning to my vanity table to empty the hair claps and pins from my silk slippers. I then place my shoes next to Tasuki's and pull one of my simple cotton night robes from inside my cedar chest. I then begin the long process of removing my mother's beloved gown from my body, the sash and girdle being unwound from my waist first, followed by the black over robe and the crimson under robe. I feel my husband's eyes watching me as I undress and reverently fold each piece of my treasured ensemble before slipping the cool cotton sleeping robe over my shoulders and tying it with a simple sash. And I turn just in time to see his eyes shining in fascination. Somewhat flattered by the enthrallment of his gaze, I quickly avert my eyes and pick up my simple wooden comb from the vanity even though several exquisite ones are laid out there for me. I'm hesitant to touch them, seeing as it's possible that they belonged to one of the dozens of courtesans who left the harem not long ago. I run my comb through my tangled mass of hair, wincing at the snags caused by the waves. I sit heavily on my bed, hoping to ease the pain somehow by feeling the soft linens beneath me.
As I comb out my hair, I watch Tasuki, who seems oblivious to me as he slowly undresses. He unbuckles his belt and tosses it where his boots lay, and then begins work on his coat and undershirt, stripping them off silently and without even a glance at me. I follow his actions hungrily and with a tint of amusement in my eyes. He walks over to the mirror at my vanity table and dares a glance. He ruffles his damp, unruly hair and chuckles a bit.
"I may need that comb, Tan baby," he remarks, turning to me with a lop-sided grin. "I look pretty rough." I smile at him and the charming messiness of his blazing orange tresses, their wildness resembling the flickering of a fire now more than ever. He tries to smooth the tangles and stiffness caused by the salt and intensity of the sea, but only manages to ruffle his extraordinary hair even more.
"Come here to me," I reply gently, motioning with my wooden comb for him to sit next to me on the bed, "It just needs combing." He throws me a lop-sided grin and obeys my request, his naked chest glowing golden in the dim light of our solitary lamp as he walks to my bed and eases down next to me. A long sigh flows from between his lips.
"Damn, that feels good," he comments. I lift my legs onto my bed and scoot nearer to his body until my crossed shins press against his hip. His fingers reach out to grasp one of my ankles, his fingertips exploring the delicate bones through my cold skin, warming them. His hand begins to travel along my calf, to my knee, where it hesitates. His eyes turn to mine, inquiring me. "I thought you were gonna comb my hair for me. What're you waiting for?"
Only when he speaks do I realize that his exploring fingers have hypnotized me with their rhythmic, warm touches. An apologetic smile shapes my lips and I look up at him as if embarrassed for letting him put me under his spell, but he only leans over and lowers his face to mine until the tips of our noses are barely touching. The warmth of his breath flows onto my lips, and for a moment I think I taste the salt of the ocean. He places a tender, slow kiss at the corner of my mouth, lingering there for a moment as if waiting for something. But I am too entranced to even close my eyes in enjoyment of his soft lips on my skin. I stare into the golden air of my room, the glow of the lamp having bathed everything in tawny.
He pulls away and I come back from the solitary place I was trapped in, stunned by his tender mouth and rapt by the way his fingertips moved over my ankle. He has always done this to me-taken me over and made me his. He has always fascinated and bewitched me, made me believe that he is the center of the universe. And I wonder if I do the same to him when I fling those alluring glances over my shoulder when he's least expecting it, or when my mouth flickers into a smile.
I rest my cheek lovingly against his bare shoulder before lifting my comb and pulling it gently through his long bangs. As I comb, I run my fingers through his hair to smooth it down. Soon, I have managed to somewhat tame his wild hair, and put him into his own trance. His eyes drooped closed long ago, lulled by the gentle tugging of the wooden comb combined with my tender motions. I lean in and kiss his cheek, telling him I'm finished. His eyes blink open sleepily and he lifts his eyebrows.
"Done already?" he asks, lifting his fingers to run them through his tresses.
I nod happily. He shifts sideways towards me to level his sight with the mirror above my vanity, giving a hum of approval. "Hell of a job, Tan baby," he comments enthusiastically. "You gotta do my hair more often!"
Smiling, I lean towards him and again rest my cheek against the slope of his naked shoulder, my arms sliding around his neck and holding him to me. I feel his palm on my back, caressing me gently through the soft cotton of my night robe. He presses a kiss on top of my head, and another in the place where my ear meets my cheek, slowly moving towards my mouth. He lifts my face with the tips of his fingers beneath my chin, and his lips slide over the bridge of my nose. My eyes focus on the rhythmic swaying and glittering of one of his blue and red earrings, transfixed. What an enchanter my husband is! What a devious magician! I pull away gently and give him a sly smile before pressing my starving lips to his. Surprised, but obviously delighted, he pulls me closer and closer to him until my crossed legs have no choice but to straighten and I am lying flying flat on my back in the hollow of his lap. He leans over me, wrapping his arms around me, as he deepens our kiss by coaxing my lips apart with a sensuous flick of his tongue. My palm loops behind his head, pulling him deeper into me, and I sigh inwardly as he tenderly kisses me with a captivating intensity that makes the hidden place between my thighs come alive.
His hands stray to my face, where he traces the arch of my eyebrow as he kisses the curve of my bottom lip and the tiny valley between my nose and mouth. How on earth he can love me so tenderly and slowly after ravishing me with his hungry eyes all day? The pressure of his hands is neither demanding nor lustful-and the touch of his lips is both calm and passionate.
Suddenly overcome by the desire to have him, I pull away from his gentle kisses before placing my hands on his shoulders and pushing him backwards onto the bed. I climb slowly on top of him, determined to put him under a spell just as he has done to me, and straddle his hips with my bare legs. I have surprised him yet again, and his eyes follow me with both interest and ardor, roaming over the curves that are very obvious through the thin cotton that clings to my frame. Unable to resist, his hands slide across my soft thighs and over my hips, resting there as he inquires me with his eyes. But I don't give him any answers.
I bend over him, letting my damp hair spill over the slopes of my shoulders and onto his bare chest. My lips hover teasingly over his, and when he lifts himself up to try to kiss me, I push him back, making him wait. His eyes look at me with a mixture of frustration and irritation, causing my heart to clench in guilt. I really should not tease him so mercilessly. So, to appease him, I lean over him yet again and trail my lips along the curves of his, letting him have a small taste of me. But before he can seal his mouth over mine, I avert my lips to his throat, instantly halting his actions. He writhes under me as my mouth travels slowly along the tendons under his skin, following them down to his collarbone. My hands stray to his chest and press down softly upon the firm muscles, feeling their strength when they flex beneath my touch. And when my fingertips glide across his nipples, a sound that seems to be the erotic fusion of a sigh and a moan fills the air. Tasuki's hands slide back down to my thighs and clench them powerfully, though not painfully. I am reawakening him to my touch, and am more than happy to see I am succeeding. My fingertips skim along his sides, feeling the contours of his ribs and causing a stifled laugh to spurt from between his lips. I smile softly; I forgot he was ticklish.
I lean closer to him, pressing my breasts to his naked chest, and allow my hands to drift silently down to his hips, where they linger as I shift my body sideways. And as I keep his eyes preoccupied with the swell of my bosom and his hands preoccupied with the curvatures of my thighs, my own hands are sliding softly and slowly between his legs, where the swell of his longing is very evident to my gentle palm. Suddenly, he senses my presence where me most desires it and a surprised gasp of breath slides through his lips. His hand reaches out and gently wraps around my wrist, pulling my hand from between his thighs. Disappointed, my eyes question him, but the only answer I am given is a soft smile. He is telling me to be patient. Him. The man who has been ogling and touching me and stealing sweltering kisses from me at every possible moment - is telling me to be patient.
I sigh and rest my head on his chest, allowing his arm to curve around the slope of my back. I expect him to simply want to lie like this for a while, doing absolutely nothing, but I expect wrong. Suddenly, his arms are curling themselves around me like vines, pulling me closer into his embrace. And in one, swift, gentle motion, he has rolled on top of me. Surprised, I simply lie still for a moment, staring up at him, unsure of how to handle this. But when I see the mischievous glint in his shining eyes, I realize that the darling bastard was teasing me when he abruptly pulled my hand away a few moments ago.
He leans over me, letting his lips hover over mine as I did to him. "Payback," he whispers, masquerading his voice in a devious tone. I now know I shouldn't have teased him so much today. I should have known that his fiery nature would not allow it.
His mouth seizes mine fiercely, once again catching me off-guard as he so loves to do. His lips glide over mine smoothly, soon enticing them to part for him. The subtle taste of sake fills my mouth as his tongue grazes mine teasingly, making the place between my legs moisten. His hand wanders down my side and over my hip, following the path my own hand made on him, and suddenly I feel the callous texture of the base of his fingers sliding slowly up my inner thigh. A moan passes between my lips and is swallowed in Tasuki's unyielding, fervent kisses as his hand makes contact with my womanhood, cupping me tenderly. But he is gone before I am able to begin to enjoy the gentle presence, and I realize that he is teasing me again.
But his hands don't stop; they glide upwards again and settle on the soft mound of my breast. I smile against his mouth at the gentle touch. So different from the vicious, greedy clenching and grasping of the men who were once my clients only days earlier. I untie the sash from around my waist, allowing my nightgown to be pulled open by my husband's ready hands. He slips the material down my shoulders and over my arms until my own chest is as bare as his, my naked breasts glowing golden in the light of our solitary lamp. His eyes drift down to the soft curves of my breasts, gazing at them in an almost reverent way. I have noticed that ever since they bloomed upon my chest when I was entering my fifteenth year, they have been able to literally enchant men. And my beloved Tasuki is no different. A smile spreads across his face as his fingertips graze the sides of my golden breasts before he leans down and kisses the valley between them. A sound resembling a soft hum combined with a moan slips from my mouth when his fingers sweep slowly across the naked plane of my belly. His lips travel slowly up the length of my sternum before sliding across the tops of my breasts, inching further and further down until they brush across my nipples. I inhale sharply at the sudden feeling of his mouth kissing me there, a place where only he has been gentle with me. Even my dear Akahito had a bad habit of dealing with my sensitive nipples too roughly; but not my husband. My hands slide up his arms until they are clenching his shoulders, keeping my body rooted to the bed as I writhe beneath him in pleasure.
Then, suddenly, his lips are covering mine again. For a moment I miss the gentle, erotic sensations of his lips and tongue on my breasts, but then I fall in love with his wild, ardent kisses and forget where his mouth was before it was sealed to mine. I can feel the burning heat of his skin, and I know that he will not be able to hold himself back much longer. The powerful desire in him is evident in his zealous kisses and his roaming, wanting hands. And as I contemplate this, I suddenly realize how intense the warmth between my thighs is, and how my abdomen seems to tremble under my husband's fingers. I am close to the edge as well. How beautifully convenient.
I break away from his passionate mouth slowly, and gaze at him with silent eyes for a moment. Then, as quietly and as softly as a moth flittering through the air, I scoot my half-naked body out from beneath his, and climb beneath the smooth, cool linens of my new bed. I unwind my nightgown from the lower half of my body and let it drop to the floor, then hold out my hand to Tasuki, telling him to come to me. Without speaking, he gets up from where we had lain at the foot of the bed and rids himself of his tan trousers before taking my out-stretched hand and crawling beneath the sheets with me, molding our naked bodies together. We lie like this for a long while, simply feeling the contours and shapes of each other's bodies after so long of being apart. I have forgotten the oddly erotic sensation of his bare knees against mine and the way our legs seem to instantly want to tangle themselves together.
But then I hear his breath in my ear, and I know that he cannot wait any longer. I press my lips to his cheek as he gently and carefully covers my body with his, instantly sending waves of warmth over my chilled skin. His weight settles on his bent arms, and his face hovers close to mine so that our eyes can see directly into each other's. His knees softly nudge against the sensitive insides of mine, and I am quick to part them so that his lower body can settle in the valley between them. I rest my calves against his sides, and curl my arms around his shoulders, running my fingers through the cool smoothness of his fire colored hair that almost seems to be alive in the dim light of the lamp at our bedside. He places tender kisses on my cheeks, sweeping over my mouth ever so slightly before pressing his lips to mine. I can feel the firmness of his manhood between my thighs, wanting and waiting for me, and a restless sigh seeps from between my lips, telling him how hungry I am for him. My calves press against his hips, urging him. His mouth swallows mine a final time before he comes into me softly and slowly, our bodies coming together wholly after so long of being separated. My hands clutch his shoulders as he waits for my body to relax to his, and then, he begins to move slowly within me, making my fingers clench him even tighter.
With my eyelids pressed closed to block out anything that may take my attention away from the wonderful feeling between my legs, I move my body with his, rocking my hips into his with every movement he makes. One of his hands slides down my side and curls around my hip, helping us move together more perfectly. I clutch his shoulders with one hand, and his lower back with the other, feeling as his muscles strain and relax again and again beneath my fingers. The sound of his voice fills my ears, and I listen in ecstasy as he groans and sighs, relishing in the thought that I am what is making him do this. He presses his cheek to mine, and my fingers press to his face momentarily to lift it so I can gaze into his eyes. And when he sees the smoky haze of my irises, his body quickens its movements suddenly, and he clutches me to him as he makes love to me fervently. And then I can sense the familiar sensation building between my legs, intensifying more and more as we rock against each other quicker and quicker, going higher and higher. His hands grip me tighter and suddenly, and I hear a gasp of release in my ear as his body empties into me; and before his euphoric hold on me can weaken, my own body is suddenly releasing itself, beginning to tremble as the blissful sensation in my womanhood bursts and spreads across my body like a river of warm water. We continue to clutch each other as we ride out the tumultuous sensations of our orgasms, our skin slick with our perspiration, our breath quick and shallow, our eyes closed lazily.
Not being with your beloved for a long amount of time only makes your eventual union that much more breathtaking. And how lucky and blessed I am to have Tasuki as my beloved. Never before have I known a man like him. Never again will I know a man like him. That is why I dared to speak to him, dared to touch him, dared to fall in love with him, dared to make love with him, and dared to marry him. That is why I am daring Fate at this very moment by being so perfectly happy. What will Fate do to me now that our marriage has been consummated and our love for each other has bonded together for eternity? I already know that he will be taken from me tomorrow; but what is to happen after that? Will my husband and I walk out of the gates of this palace once peace has been restored to Konan? Or will I live on in this palace as a widow? So many questions for Fate -- someone who cannot give me any answers.
So instead of pondering the horrendous questions in my already burdened mind, I think only of the man resting in my arms. I think only of the moisture of his skin and the welcome pressure of his body laid out on top of mine. I think only of the way he curls me tightly to his chest after gently disconnecting our bodies. And I think only of the way he holds me, his wife, so carefully and so close to him.
I curl myself happily into him, breathing in the salty aroma of the ocean that is still present on his naked skin, feeling it warm under my touch. I close my eyes and see him as he was when he first caught my eye, beneath me as I stand on the upper level of the Black Dove. His hair like fire. His skin like caramel. His eyes like pond water. Only in this moment as I hold him in our wedding bed is he more beautiful than he was then, when I first laid my eyes upon him. Only in this moment do I truly consider myself free from all the evils and all the hatred of the world I once knew. I've been free in my heart since that night Shingen raised his hand to me and I thrust the Seal of Suzaku in his hideous face. I've been free in my body since this morning, when Tasuki delivered His Highness's decree of liberation to my owner and fought for me with his own hands. But now I am free in my soul as well, having been released from the walls of my former world by the tender hands of my husband and his devotion and love for me.
I will always adore him for what he has done for me-not only given me my freedom, but also loved me unconditionally and wholeheartedly. I was once a whore who sold my body for my food and my bed, but now I am the wife of a celestial warrior, a man chosen by his god to be magnificent and powerful. But it is not this magnificence and power that enchants me and makes me crave my darling Tasuki-it is the nonchalant and daring nature of him. He dared to love me, a prostitute, and not care that I am neither pure nor proper. I love him because he loves me, and because he wants me and needs me. And if I lose him in the fires and the smoke of war, I will never forget this. I will always remember the golden emerald shade of his eyes, and the callousness at the base of his fingers, and the odd little fangs that peek out from beneath his lips. But it is the intensity of his unabashed love and desire for me that my mind will forever remember. A love born out of indignation, a love grown upon the sound of laughter and the touch of lustful hands, a love rooted deep in admiration and devotion, and a love that will never be destroyed. It is the love I thought could only be found in folk tales, and perhaps the story of Tasuki and Tansho will live on in the words of the people of Konan. Only Fate knows.
My husband and I whisper softly to each other for a few more minutes, but our eyes cannot stay open, and we are soon slipping away into sleep, nestled safely in each other's arms. I dream of this place years from now, and I hear the words of our story being sung by women in the fields, being told by mothers to their sleepy children, being whispered across the warm winds of the earth while people come and go and live and die. And I smile in my sleep, knowing that my beloved and I will never be forgotten.
A/N: I absolutely adored writing this chapter. But let me tell you something - it took for damn ever. I wrote and re-wrote and re-wrote over and over again, trying to sum up in one chapter everything about Tansho and Tasuki that I love, and everything that I tried to give to them and to this story. But I think that the end result is just peachy, huh? ^_^
Alrighty then, my darlings - once again, I'm terribly sorry for the late update. My life has become very tumultuous in these last few weeks and although I've been writing like crazy to help me cope with my freaked- up life, I have not found the time to edit and upload my chapters. Thanks for understanding, though! ^_^
I haven't replied to you reviewers later, so I thought I'd take the time to do that now!
Spork Warrior Kore: First off, kick-ass pen name! ^_^ Second off, thanks so much!
Zerianyu: Yep, life definitely does happen. I can testify to that. And no, you didn't offend me at all, hon! I'm flattered when people are honest with me. So thanks!!
Sasa1: I adored your reviews!! ^_^ The little Tasuki/Soara dialogues were absolutely hilarious and cute as hell!! And thanks so much for the compliments.
DeeDee: Hey, I'm glad you finally reviewed! I'm glad you're liking my story, and it's always great to know you've got another fan! ^_^
Thanks again, guys!!! ^_^ I love all of you so so so much!!
Warning: The following chapter has sexual content in it, so please don't have a freak-out since it's been so long since I posted one of my wonderful lemon chapter. It has been awhile, huh? Well, please enjoy and please review, too! ^_^
Chapter 52
Enchantment
We dress quickly, the chill in the night air soon becoming too much to bear even in the luke-warm waters of the ocean. I don't bother to arrange my wet hair or reposition the numerous clasps and pins that are nestled safely inside my slippers. I go barefoot, as does Tasuki, his black boots tucked under one arm while his other wraps itself around my shoulders. I slip my arm around his waist and press my silk slippers close to my chest, afraid of losing one of the golden hair ornaments tucked inside.
We walk swiftly through the courtyards of the palace, not speaking for fear of alarming a guard or maid wondering what in hell we're doing wandering barefoot through the palace at night. The seraglio gates are open when we reach them, and I wonder for a moment if they are ever closed or locked as they are expected to be. The courtyard garden is deathly quiet, and only a few lamps flicker through the windows of the two buildings that surround it, telling us that not many of the courtesans are night owls. The dining room where our small wedding banquet was held is empty and its doors are closed, and for a moment I feel guilty that Tasuki and I didn't make at least a short appearance. But I'm sure our guests didn't mind our slipping away-they no doubt shared a few winks and knowing glances with each other when they saw we weren't present.
We reach my chambers, and Tasuki opens the door, holding it back to allow me to enter first. I give an affectionate glance over my shoulder as I make my way through the alcove and into my bedroom. A lamp sits forlornly upon my vanity table, already lit and making my room glow in its golden light. The lavender coverlet and the linens have been folded back for me, and I give them a bewildered look before turning around and giving the same look to Tasuki, who's placing his boots next to my monstrous wardrobe. He begins unfastening the straps that holds his enchanted fan to his back and slips it off, placing it reverently on a small table near my bed. He notices the turned-back linens and returns my puzzled look with a shrug and a grin.
"One of the maids did it probably," he explains, "Don't ask me why they do. I think I can manage my own damn sheets--"
My eyebrows arch in interest. I expected a maid or servant, but I certainly never expected them to ready my bed for me. How odd. It will take some time, no doubt, to get used to being treated so nicely, but I think I may enjoy it.
"I suppose people living in the palace are accustomed to it-they probably think nothing about it anymore," I comment, turning to my vanity table to empty the hair claps and pins from my silk slippers. I then place my shoes next to Tasuki's and pull one of my simple cotton night robes from inside my cedar chest. I then begin the long process of removing my mother's beloved gown from my body, the sash and girdle being unwound from my waist first, followed by the black over robe and the crimson under robe. I feel my husband's eyes watching me as I undress and reverently fold each piece of my treasured ensemble before slipping the cool cotton sleeping robe over my shoulders and tying it with a simple sash. And I turn just in time to see his eyes shining in fascination. Somewhat flattered by the enthrallment of his gaze, I quickly avert my eyes and pick up my simple wooden comb from the vanity even though several exquisite ones are laid out there for me. I'm hesitant to touch them, seeing as it's possible that they belonged to one of the dozens of courtesans who left the harem not long ago. I run my comb through my tangled mass of hair, wincing at the snags caused by the waves. I sit heavily on my bed, hoping to ease the pain somehow by feeling the soft linens beneath me.
As I comb out my hair, I watch Tasuki, who seems oblivious to me as he slowly undresses. He unbuckles his belt and tosses it where his boots lay, and then begins work on his coat and undershirt, stripping them off silently and without even a glance at me. I follow his actions hungrily and with a tint of amusement in my eyes. He walks over to the mirror at my vanity table and dares a glance. He ruffles his damp, unruly hair and chuckles a bit.
"I may need that comb, Tan baby," he remarks, turning to me with a lop-sided grin. "I look pretty rough." I smile at him and the charming messiness of his blazing orange tresses, their wildness resembling the flickering of a fire now more than ever. He tries to smooth the tangles and stiffness caused by the salt and intensity of the sea, but only manages to ruffle his extraordinary hair even more.
"Come here to me," I reply gently, motioning with my wooden comb for him to sit next to me on the bed, "It just needs combing." He throws me a lop-sided grin and obeys my request, his naked chest glowing golden in the dim light of our solitary lamp as he walks to my bed and eases down next to me. A long sigh flows from between his lips.
"Damn, that feels good," he comments. I lift my legs onto my bed and scoot nearer to his body until my crossed shins press against his hip. His fingers reach out to grasp one of my ankles, his fingertips exploring the delicate bones through my cold skin, warming them. His hand begins to travel along my calf, to my knee, where it hesitates. His eyes turn to mine, inquiring me. "I thought you were gonna comb my hair for me. What're you waiting for?"
Only when he speaks do I realize that his exploring fingers have hypnotized me with their rhythmic, warm touches. An apologetic smile shapes my lips and I look up at him as if embarrassed for letting him put me under his spell, but he only leans over and lowers his face to mine until the tips of our noses are barely touching. The warmth of his breath flows onto my lips, and for a moment I think I taste the salt of the ocean. He places a tender, slow kiss at the corner of my mouth, lingering there for a moment as if waiting for something. But I am too entranced to even close my eyes in enjoyment of his soft lips on my skin. I stare into the golden air of my room, the glow of the lamp having bathed everything in tawny.
He pulls away and I come back from the solitary place I was trapped in, stunned by his tender mouth and rapt by the way his fingertips moved over my ankle. He has always done this to me-taken me over and made me his. He has always fascinated and bewitched me, made me believe that he is the center of the universe. And I wonder if I do the same to him when I fling those alluring glances over my shoulder when he's least expecting it, or when my mouth flickers into a smile.
I rest my cheek lovingly against his bare shoulder before lifting my comb and pulling it gently through his long bangs. As I comb, I run my fingers through his hair to smooth it down. Soon, I have managed to somewhat tame his wild hair, and put him into his own trance. His eyes drooped closed long ago, lulled by the gentle tugging of the wooden comb combined with my tender motions. I lean in and kiss his cheek, telling him I'm finished. His eyes blink open sleepily and he lifts his eyebrows.
"Done already?" he asks, lifting his fingers to run them through his tresses.
I nod happily. He shifts sideways towards me to level his sight with the mirror above my vanity, giving a hum of approval. "Hell of a job, Tan baby," he comments enthusiastically. "You gotta do my hair more often!"
Smiling, I lean towards him and again rest my cheek against the slope of his naked shoulder, my arms sliding around his neck and holding him to me. I feel his palm on my back, caressing me gently through the soft cotton of my night robe. He presses a kiss on top of my head, and another in the place where my ear meets my cheek, slowly moving towards my mouth. He lifts my face with the tips of his fingers beneath my chin, and his lips slide over the bridge of my nose. My eyes focus on the rhythmic swaying and glittering of one of his blue and red earrings, transfixed. What an enchanter my husband is! What a devious magician! I pull away gently and give him a sly smile before pressing my starving lips to his. Surprised, but obviously delighted, he pulls me closer and closer to him until my crossed legs have no choice but to straighten and I am lying flying flat on my back in the hollow of his lap. He leans over me, wrapping his arms around me, as he deepens our kiss by coaxing my lips apart with a sensuous flick of his tongue. My palm loops behind his head, pulling him deeper into me, and I sigh inwardly as he tenderly kisses me with a captivating intensity that makes the hidden place between my thighs come alive.
His hands stray to my face, where he traces the arch of my eyebrow as he kisses the curve of my bottom lip and the tiny valley between my nose and mouth. How on earth he can love me so tenderly and slowly after ravishing me with his hungry eyes all day? The pressure of his hands is neither demanding nor lustful-and the touch of his lips is both calm and passionate.
Suddenly overcome by the desire to have him, I pull away from his gentle kisses before placing my hands on his shoulders and pushing him backwards onto the bed. I climb slowly on top of him, determined to put him under a spell just as he has done to me, and straddle his hips with my bare legs. I have surprised him yet again, and his eyes follow me with both interest and ardor, roaming over the curves that are very obvious through the thin cotton that clings to my frame. Unable to resist, his hands slide across my soft thighs and over my hips, resting there as he inquires me with his eyes. But I don't give him any answers.
I bend over him, letting my damp hair spill over the slopes of my shoulders and onto his bare chest. My lips hover teasingly over his, and when he lifts himself up to try to kiss me, I push him back, making him wait. His eyes look at me with a mixture of frustration and irritation, causing my heart to clench in guilt. I really should not tease him so mercilessly. So, to appease him, I lean over him yet again and trail my lips along the curves of his, letting him have a small taste of me. But before he can seal his mouth over mine, I avert my lips to his throat, instantly halting his actions. He writhes under me as my mouth travels slowly along the tendons under his skin, following them down to his collarbone. My hands stray to his chest and press down softly upon the firm muscles, feeling their strength when they flex beneath my touch. And when my fingertips glide across his nipples, a sound that seems to be the erotic fusion of a sigh and a moan fills the air. Tasuki's hands slide back down to my thighs and clench them powerfully, though not painfully. I am reawakening him to my touch, and am more than happy to see I am succeeding. My fingertips skim along his sides, feeling the contours of his ribs and causing a stifled laugh to spurt from between his lips. I smile softly; I forgot he was ticklish.
I lean closer to him, pressing my breasts to his naked chest, and allow my hands to drift silently down to his hips, where they linger as I shift my body sideways. And as I keep his eyes preoccupied with the swell of my bosom and his hands preoccupied with the curvatures of my thighs, my own hands are sliding softly and slowly between his legs, where the swell of his longing is very evident to my gentle palm. Suddenly, he senses my presence where me most desires it and a surprised gasp of breath slides through his lips. His hand reaches out and gently wraps around my wrist, pulling my hand from between his thighs. Disappointed, my eyes question him, but the only answer I am given is a soft smile. He is telling me to be patient. Him. The man who has been ogling and touching me and stealing sweltering kisses from me at every possible moment - is telling me to be patient.
I sigh and rest my head on his chest, allowing his arm to curve around the slope of my back. I expect him to simply want to lie like this for a while, doing absolutely nothing, but I expect wrong. Suddenly, his arms are curling themselves around me like vines, pulling me closer into his embrace. And in one, swift, gentle motion, he has rolled on top of me. Surprised, I simply lie still for a moment, staring up at him, unsure of how to handle this. But when I see the mischievous glint in his shining eyes, I realize that the darling bastard was teasing me when he abruptly pulled my hand away a few moments ago.
He leans over me, letting his lips hover over mine as I did to him. "Payback," he whispers, masquerading his voice in a devious tone. I now know I shouldn't have teased him so much today. I should have known that his fiery nature would not allow it.
His mouth seizes mine fiercely, once again catching me off-guard as he so loves to do. His lips glide over mine smoothly, soon enticing them to part for him. The subtle taste of sake fills my mouth as his tongue grazes mine teasingly, making the place between my legs moisten. His hand wanders down my side and over my hip, following the path my own hand made on him, and suddenly I feel the callous texture of the base of his fingers sliding slowly up my inner thigh. A moan passes between my lips and is swallowed in Tasuki's unyielding, fervent kisses as his hand makes contact with my womanhood, cupping me tenderly. But he is gone before I am able to begin to enjoy the gentle presence, and I realize that he is teasing me again.
But his hands don't stop; they glide upwards again and settle on the soft mound of my breast. I smile against his mouth at the gentle touch. So different from the vicious, greedy clenching and grasping of the men who were once my clients only days earlier. I untie the sash from around my waist, allowing my nightgown to be pulled open by my husband's ready hands. He slips the material down my shoulders and over my arms until my own chest is as bare as his, my naked breasts glowing golden in the light of our solitary lamp. His eyes drift down to the soft curves of my breasts, gazing at them in an almost reverent way. I have noticed that ever since they bloomed upon my chest when I was entering my fifteenth year, they have been able to literally enchant men. And my beloved Tasuki is no different. A smile spreads across his face as his fingertips graze the sides of my golden breasts before he leans down and kisses the valley between them. A sound resembling a soft hum combined with a moan slips from my mouth when his fingers sweep slowly across the naked plane of my belly. His lips travel slowly up the length of my sternum before sliding across the tops of my breasts, inching further and further down until they brush across my nipples. I inhale sharply at the sudden feeling of his mouth kissing me there, a place where only he has been gentle with me. Even my dear Akahito had a bad habit of dealing with my sensitive nipples too roughly; but not my husband. My hands slide up his arms until they are clenching his shoulders, keeping my body rooted to the bed as I writhe beneath him in pleasure.
Then, suddenly, his lips are covering mine again. For a moment I miss the gentle, erotic sensations of his lips and tongue on my breasts, but then I fall in love with his wild, ardent kisses and forget where his mouth was before it was sealed to mine. I can feel the burning heat of his skin, and I know that he will not be able to hold himself back much longer. The powerful desire in him is evident in his zealous kisses and his roaming, wanting hands. And as I contemplate this, I suddenly realize how intense the warmth between my thighs is, and how my abdomen seems to tremble under my husband's fingers. I am close to the edge as well. How beautifully convenient.
I break away from his passionate mouth slowly, and gaze at him with silent eyes for a moment. Then, as quietly and as softly as a moth flittering through the air, I scoot my half-naked body out from beneath his, and climb beneath the smooth, cool linens of my new bed. I unwind my nightgown from the lower half of my body and let it drop to the floor, then hold out my hand to Tasuki, telling him to come to me. Without speaking, he gets up from where we had lain at the foot of the bed and rids himself of his tan trousers before taking my out-stretched hand and crawling beneath the sheets with me, molding our naked bodies together. We lie like this for a long while, simply feeling the contours and shapes of each other's bodies after so long of being apart. I have forgotten the oddly erotic sensation of his bare knees against mine and the way our legs seem to instantly want to tangle themselves together.
But then I hear his breath in my ear, and I know that he cannot wait any longer. I press my lips to his cheek as he gently and carefully covers my body with his, instantly sending waves of warmth over my chilled skin. His weight settles on his bent arms, and his face hovers close to mine so that our eyes can see directly into each other's. His knees softly nudge against the sensitive insides of mine, and I am quick to part them so that his lower body can settle in the valley between them. I rest my calves against his sides, and curl my arms around his shoulders, running my fingers through the cool smoothness of his fire colored hair that almost seems to be alive in the dim light of the lamp at our bedside. He places tender kisses on my cheeks, sweeping over my mouth ever so slightly before pressing his lips to mine. I can feel the firmness of his manhood between my thighs, wanting and waiting for me, and a restless sigh seeps from between my lips, telling him how hungry I am for him. My calves press against his hips, urging him. His mouth swallows mine a final time before he comes into me softly and slowly, our bodies coming together wholly after so long of being separated. My hands clutch his shoulders as he waits for my body to relax to his, and then, he begins to move slowly within me, making my fingers clench him even tighter.
With my eyelids pressed closed to block out anything that may take my attention away from the wonderful feeling between my legs, I move my body with his, rocking my hips into his with every movement he makes. One of his hands slides down my side and curls around my hip, helping us move together more perfectly. I clutch his shoulders with one hand, and his lower back with the other, feeling as his muscles strain and relax again and again beneath my fingers. The sound of his voice fills my ears, and I listen in ecstasy as he groans and sighs, relishing in the thought that I am what is making him do this. He presses his cheek to mine, and my fingers press to his face momentarily to lift it so I can gaze into his eyes. And when he sees the smoky haze of my irises, his body quickens its movements suddenly, and he clutches me to him as he makes love to me fervently. And then I can sense the familiar sensation building between my legs, intensifying more and more as we rock against each other quicker and quicker, going higher and higher. His hands grip me tighter and suddenly, and I hear a gasp of release in my ear as his body empties into me; and before his euphoric hold on me can weaken, my own body is suddenly releasing itself, beginning to tremble as the blissful sensation in my womanhood bursts and spreads across my body like a river of warm water. We continue to clutch each other as we ride out the tumultuous sensations of our orgasms, our skin slick with our perspiration, our breath quick and shallow, our eyes closed lazily.
Not being with your beloved for a long amount of time only makes your eventual union that much more breathtaking. And how lucky and blessed I am to have Tasuki as my beloved. Never before have I known a man like him. Never again will I know a man like him. That is why I dared to speak to him, dared to touch him, dared to fall in love with him, dared to make love with him, and dared to marry him. That is why I am daring Fate at this very moment by being so perfectly happy. What will Fate do to me now that our marriage has been consummated and our love for each other has bonded together for eternity? I already know that he will be taken from me tomorrow; but what is to happen after that? Will my husband and I walk out of the gates of this palace once peace has been restored to Konan? Or will I live on in this palace as a widow? So many questions for Fate -- someone who cannot give me any answers.
So instead of pondering the horrendous questions in my already burdened mind, I think only of the man resting in my arms. I think only of the moisture of his skin and the welcome pressure of his body laid out on top of mine. I think only of the way he curls me tightly to his chest after gently disconnecting our bodies. And I think only of the way he holds me, his wife, so carefully and so close to him.
I curl myself happily into him, breathing in the salty aroma of the ocean that is still present on his naked skin, feeling it warm under my touch. I close my eyes and see him as he was when he first caught my eye, beneath me as I stand on the upper level of the Black Dove. His hair like fire. His skin like caramel. His eyes like pond water. Only in this moment as I hold him in our wedding bed is he more beautiful than he was then, when I first laid my eyes upon him. Only in this moment do I truly consider myself free from all the evils and all the hatred of the world I once knew. I've been free in my heart since that night Shingen raised his hand to me and I thrust the Seal of Suzaku in his hideous face. I've been free in my body since this morning, when Tasuki delivered His Highness's decree of liberation to my owner and fought for me with his own hands. But now I am free in my soul as well, having been released from the walls of my former world by the tender hands of my husband and his devotion and love for me.
I will always adore him for what he has done for me-not only given me my freedom, but also loved me unconditionally and wholeheartedly. I was once a whore who sold my body for my food and my bed, but now I am the wife of a celestial warrior, a man chosen by his god to be magnificent and powerful. But it is not this magnificence and power that enchants me and makes me crave my darling Tasuki-it is the nonchalant and daring nature of him. He dared to love me, a prostitute, and not care that I am neither pure nor proper. I love him because he loves me, and because he wants me and needs me. And if I lose him in the fires and the smoke of war, I will never forget this. I will always remember the golden emerald shade of his eyes, and the callousness at the base of his fingers, and the odd little fangs that peek out from beneath his lips. But it is the intensity of his unabashed love and desire for me that my mind will forever remember. A love born out of indignation, a love grown upon the sound of laughter and the touch of lustful hands, a love rooted deep in admiration and devotion, and a love that will never be destroyed. It is the love I thought could only be found in folk tales, and perhaps the story of Tasuki and Tansho will live on in the words of the people of Konan. Only Fate knows.
My husband and I whisper softly to each other for a few more minutes, but our eyes cannot stay open, and we are soon slipping away into sleep, nestled safely in each other's arms. I dream of this place years from now, and I hear the words of our story being sung by women in the fields, being told by mothers to their sleepy children, being whispered across the warm winds of the earth while people come and go and live and die. And I smile in my sleep, knowing that my beloved and I will never be forgotten.
A/N: I absolutely adored writing this chapter. But let me tell you something - it took for damn ever. I wrote and re-wrote and re-wrote over and over again, trying to sum up in one chapter everything about Tansho and Tasuki that I love, and everything that I tried to give to them and to this story. But I think that the end result is just peachy, huh? ^_^
Alrighty then, my darlings - once again, I'm terribly sorry for the late update. My life has become very tumultuous in these last few weeks and although I've been writing like crazy to help me cope with my freaked- up life, I have not found the time to edit and upload my chapters. Thanks for understanding, though! ^_^
I haven't replied to you reviewers later, so I thought I'd take the time to do that now!
Spork Warrior Kore: First off, kick-ass pen name! ^_^ Second off, thanks so much!
Zerianyu: Yep, life definitely does happen. I can testify to that. And no, you didn't offend me at all, hon! I'm flattered when people are honest with me. So thanks!!
Sasa1: I adored your reviews!! ^_^ The little Tasuki/Soara dialogues were absolutely hilarious and cute as hell!! And thanks so much for the compliments.
DeeDee: Hey, I'm glad you finally reviewed! I'm glad you're liking my story, and it's always great to know you've got another fan! ^_^
Thanks again, guys!!! ^_^ I love all of you so so so much!!