Chapter 7

(Kaoru)

It was the slightly uncomfortable feeling of my hair fluttering across my face that woke me first. I squirmed, trying to get away from it, but it continued. I finally opened my eyes to deal with the discomfort, and instantly froze.

The first thing I noticed was a wash of crimson, filling my sight. Just under that red wave was tanned skin, flesh that smelled vaguely of pine trees and ginger. The next thing that came to my senses was the feeling of my hair moving, moving with the light puffs of air that ghosted across my forehead. I was pulled tight against a bare muscular chest, thin yet powerful arms wrapped around my waist. My own hands were pressed flat against the chest I lay against, a heart beat echoing beneath my right hand. My legs were bent at the knees, and leaning against something. I looked down to see them curved over pajama clad thighs, disappearing behind those long slender legs.

I finally looked up into the face of the man holding me, and I smiled when I did. He looked so peaceful when he slept, Kenshin. His dark lashes trembled slightly against his tanned cheeks as I shifted in his arms, but he did not wake. I reached up a hand, lightly tracing the curve of his jaw, up and over the delicate slope of his nose and along the line of his eyebrow. He sighed automatically and leaned into my touch, his lips separating more.

It had been Kenshin's breath that was stirring my hair, blowing against my bangs while he rested his cheek against the top of my head. We must have shifted in the night, that much was painfully obvious. I smiled, settling myself back down by laying my head against his, using his cheek as a pillow. He sighed again, but once again, didn't stir.

I giggled inwardly. 'He sure is a deep sleeper sometimes…'

I drifted off on that thought, the ginger and cinnamon scent of Kenshin's titian hair calming me and lulling me into rest.


(Kenshin)

I woke slowly, wrinkling my nose. 'I really have to sneeze…' What I saw when I opened my eyes, however, stopped that thought instantly.

Raven colored hair swept across my face, probably causing my need to sneeze. The hair was tickling my nose, and it was not helping my sneezing problem. I could feel a slender body in my arms, tucked tight against my chest. Two small hands rested against my heart, the fingers moving slightly in dreams. Soft breaths blew across my ear, and I could feel a weight on my legs.

Kaoru's head was resting against mine, using my head as a pillow. I gently reached up, taking her head and settling her against the pillow beside me. She wiggled her nose, making me think 'Kawaii…' with an inward chuckle, but did not wake. I studied her beautiful features silently, observing her snow pale skin and coral colored lips, parted to allow her breath through.

I looked down, studying the way that she was curled intimately around my body. Her legs were draped across mine, her feet touching mine at the end of the bed. Her hair was mingling with my own crimson strands on my shoulder, creating a sharp contrast.

At this moment my sneeze decided to finally come out, and my whole body jerked as I tried to hold it in. It didn't really work…

Kaoru stirred, and then opened her midnight blue eyes. She blinked, and then turned her focus to me. "Kenshin? What's wrong?"

I grinned weakly. "Um, bless me?"

Kaoru blinked again, and then seemed to realize what happened, because she started laughing lightly. "You silly boy…" She reached up to touch my face again. "Did you know that if you hold in a sneeze you'll blow your eyes out?"

I blinked. "Um…"

She laughed again. "Just kidding anata."

I could feel my cheeks turn pink at that word. I must have had a correct feeling, because Kaoru pinched my smooth cheek and planted a kiss on my scarred one. "Once again, silly…"

I smiled, stroking her face softly. "Who's silly? You're all tangled up in my legs, you're silly yourself."

She blinked, and then giggled. "Hai, I suppose." I found my face gripped between her hands in the next moment, and then her lips were against mine, moving against me. My eyes widened at first, staring at her closed eyes, and then I closed my own, wrapping my arms securely around her waist and pulling her flush against the curves of my body.

She 'mmfed' into my mouth slightly, but wrapped her own arms around my neck, tangling her fingers in my thick hair. I could feel her fingers massaging my scalp lightly, and I smiled slightly against her lips. I asked her permission silently by touching my tongue to her lips, and she hesitated before opening to allow me inside.

I swept my tongue along her mouth, exploring contentedly. She shyly responded to me, her own tongue entering my mouth. I encouraged her silently, twining my tongue around hers.

We both drew back after a moment, breathing heavily and clinging to each other. She smiled slightly, her cheeks a little flushed. "Wow."

I laughed lightly, and then kissed her again. This time she responded instantly, eagerly. I rolled, putting her beneath me, and continued to kiss her passionately.


(Kaoru)

Once again, when I woke this time to the feeling of strong arms around my body, this time touching the bare skin of my shoulders. Kenshin's face was next to mine this time, just in front of me.

I smiled, studying his tired features. He was exhausted, both from our lovemaking last night and from his lack of sleep for the last few days. There was dried sweat along his features, and I smiled, knowing that he needed a good shower.

I was a little loathing waking him, but I was also sweaty and required a shower, so I shook him gently. "Kenshin, Kenshin, wake up anata."

He scrunched up his face, and I had to resist the urge to 'Awww…' as he shook his head. "Uhhh uhhh… I don't wanna…"

I giggled. "Keeeeeeeeeeeeenshiiiiiiiiiin…."

He opened one violet eye, watching me. "What?"

"You need a shower, you're a very dirty boy, now get up." I said playfully, poking him in the forehead.

His sleepy/annoyed expression changed to one of mischief. "Oh really…"

I blinked. "Wait, Kenshin…"

I suddenly found myself swept up in his arms as he ran for the bathroom, shoving me into the shower and turning on the warm water. I stood there for a moment, blinking in the warm spray, and then turned to let the water run through my hair. 'Oh, that feels good…'

An instant later the glass shower door closed and I felt the presence of Kenshin next to me. I opened my eyes to see him eying my body appreciatively. "Beautiful…" he murmured.

I smiled, returning his glances. The warm water ran over finely shaped and defined muscles, outlining every perfection of his body. His thick hair was alright part way soaked, hanging heavily around his broad shoulders. I put up my arms. "Come here you."

He grinned, and walked into my arms beneath the warm water.


This is more of a filler chapter, I just wanted to get the romance in there, and I loved writing this chapter! Oooo, I love describing Kenshin, -shudders- I just wanna sit there and drool! –grins- Please review!