The moment they entered the dance floor, he spun her into his arms, smirking at her yelp. Her hands settled on his shoulders as his slid down to her hips, both of them instantly following the sound of the music. He matched her movements perfectly. His eyes held her captive as they moved, the rest of the room fading away. He tugged her closer, pulling her flush against his larger frame, and her hand automatically slid to the back of his neck as they moved against each other.

She was close enough that she couldn't avoid breathing him in. He smelled faintly of cinnamon and something entirely familiar, but something she couldn't place. It was there, just out of reach. One of his hands slid further down on her hips–a slight shift, but so much more intimate. The other one moved up her back, supporting her as he towered over her, forcing her to arch backward to remain upright. She leaned on him heavily, his larger frame stabilizing her as they moved. His muscles rippled with each movement. The strength coiling beneath her hands, against her chest, sent her heart racing.

It wasn't long before she was unsure where she ended and he began as they moved with the music, their bodies grinding against each other and their eyes locked. Akina had always loved dancing, but this was new for her. She heard the music, she moved to it, but there was nothing tangible beyond him. His dark gaze, his steady hands on her hip and back, his heartbeat that she could feel reverberating through her very person.

She sucked in a harsh breath as her eyes swam, the image of him shifting briefly. The loose toga-like clothes he had on faded, leaving his chest bare short of a broad golden collar, and wrapped around his toned arms were bands of gold. She blinked again and his appearance returned to normal. She swallowed harshly as he looked down at her, his gaze unreadable.

'Sorry, I think–' she began and tried to step away, but his hold on her didn't loosen.

'You're seeing things,' he said plainly. 'Things you can't explain.'

'How–' she started but cut herself short. She cleared her throat. 'I'm just drunk.'

'You've been seeing things for longer. Even when you're wide awake and well-rested.'

'I don't know what you're talking about,' she said and pushed at his chest. 'Now, let me go.'

'I'll let you go if you promise you'll answer me one thing.'

She exhaled harshly through her nose. 'What?'

He pulled something from his pocket and held it out to her. 'Do you recognize this?'

She barely contained her gasp as she looked at the golden necklace in his hand. Her hand went to her neck almost on instinct, almost like her body expected to find it there–the same necklace she had seen in the mirror the day before. Her mind told her it was hers, but she had no memory of it. She reached out hesitantly and brushed her fingers over it, feeling the slight imperfections she somehow knew exactly where they were.

'How,' she breathed, unable to tear her eyes from it. 'What is this?'

'This isn't the best place to talk,' he said gently. 'I'll tell you everything you want to know, but I'll have to ask you to trust me a little. Can you do that?' he asked and held out a hand to her.

Akina stared at it, her heart in her throat. Her chest was tight, each breath a struggle, but she reached out and slipped her hand into his slowly. She swallowed as a tingle spread through her, stronger this time. Her gut clenched at the gentle smile that appeared on his face when she took his hand, and she was unable to look away as he lead her from the room.

Without a word, they collected their coats from the wardrobe, their hands still joined. In the back of her mind, Akina was sure that if she let go now, she wouldn't have the bravery to keep going. He didn't seem to mind, simply taking both coats and folding them over his arm, tightening his hold on her hand ever so slightly when it trembled.

He led her from the venue, taking a few twists and turns in silence. His thumb brushed over the back of her hand lightly, a soft touch that both soothed her and sent her heart racing. Less than ten minutes later, he indicated an upscale building. He maneuvered his free hand to blip a card against the reader and pushed open the door when it unlocked. She stepped into the elevator with him without a word.

As the doors closed, the metal surface was exchanged with a breathtaking view of massive palaces made out of sandstone and mud bricks. Hot air washed over her, bringing with it the smell of water and food, and moved the see-through curtains in a silent dance around her. There was a pressure against her back, and she felt something move around her waist–an intimate embrace she couldn't recall. She turned her head to see who it was, and the doors to the elevator opened and the image faded.

He looked at her knowingly but didn't say anything. He simply guided her down the hallway to one of the few doors on this level and unlocked it. He hung the coats on the hooks before releasing her hand and nudging her forward gently.

'Take a look around. See if anything makes itself remembered.'

Akina stepped further into the apartment slowly, her eyes sliding over the many antique objects on the walls and on display. Objects she recognized from photos in textbooks, and objects she shouldn't recognize, but somehow knew intimately. She paused in front of a slim vase.

'This held a blue water lily,' she said mostly to herself.

'Blue,' he agreed, hovering a step away, 'or white.'

She took a few more steps. 'That bracelet used to have the eye of Ra on it,' she stumbled as her head pulsed. He caught her easily, supporting her weight with his arm. 'What's going on?'

He guided her to a large couch, sitting her down gently. He disappeared into the adjourning kitchen and returned a minute later with a glass. 'It's water,' he said with a slight chuckle at her suspicious look.

She sipped it carefully, her hands shaking and head throbbing. She put it down as she felt another pulse nearing, and as she did, she barely kept from falling off the couch as the scenery around her changed again.

She stood in a large room lined with floor-to-ceiling arches leading out into a balcony that reached around the room, each framed by delicate curtains that moved in the breeze. There was a large bed, filled bookshelves, beautiful wardrobes, and a robust desk in the room–her room, her mind told her. The double doors creaked open. Her heart pounded as she looked at the man who entered, smiling at the blue lotus in his hands.

Despite standing close enough to feel his body heat, she realized she couldn't make out his face. His name was at the tip of her tongue. Just out of reach, an itch that couldn't be scratched, and she let out a frustrated sigh as she screwed her eyes together. For once, the image was still there when she opened them again.

Fingers brushed along her yaw, sending butterflies to her stomach. 'Have you waited long, my love?' the words echoed in her mind.

The image faded and she was back on the couch, staring out over the city through the window wall surrounding the living room. She blinked the residue of the vision away. She sighed. 'What the hell is going on?'

'What did you see?' he asked softly.

She turned in her seat and faced him entirely. 'A room, bedroom, I think.'

'And?'

'And what?'

'Were you alone?'

She looked at him for a long moment, taking in the hesitant look in his eyes. 'What does that matter?'

'Were you?' he asked and reached out, brushing his fingers along her jaw.

Her heart clenched. 'You?' she breathed.

He leaned close slowly, giving her plenty of time to stop him if she so wished, and hovered by her lips for a moment. Their breaths mingled, and then he kissed her. His lips were soft as he slated them against hers, moving slowly and deliberately–making her heart pound at the intimacy of it. Her eyes closed as her mind buzzed.

Memories flooded her mind, swirling around and clicking into place, one by one. Memories of battles, palaces, people, dances, touches, all of it settled into her mind. She sighed gently against his lips when they pulled apart, her eyes remaining closed for another few seconds.

When she opened them again, her breath trembled. She saw him clearly now–the gold and red in his eyes, the outline of a wolf's head, the faint golden glow about his person. Slowly, she reached out. She ran her fingers over his face gently, smiling softly when he leaned into her touch. 'Anubis,' she breathed.

'Bast, my love,' he replied gently.

Warmth spread from her chest, throughout her body, until it encompassed her completely. She laughed slightly and jumped at him, kissing him deeply. Her hands settled in his hair. She pulled it free from its constraints and pulled a hand through the long, silky strands. She pulled back when her lunges screamed at her, and she found herself straddling him, staring into eyes that made her soul sing.

She sighed softly and leaned her forehead against his. 'My love. I've missed you. Have you waited long?'

'You were difficult to find this time,' he hummed and ran his hands over her legs and hips. 'Were you hiding from me?'

'I couldn't make you too comfortable, now could I?' she smiled. 'How long?'

'Four years, give or take.'

She slated her lips against his hungrily and tugged at his hair just enough to sting. He rumbled in response and nibbled at her lips. Their tongues slid against each other in a heated dance as hands roamed and pushed and pulled on clothes. She sighed against him as she splayed her fingers over his chiseled chest, admiring how his muscles rippled under her hands with each movement. His hands slid up her legs, bunching her dress around her hips.

'Was it worth the wait this time as well?' she mumbled against his lips.

His hands slid to her ass and squeezed it playfully, smirking at her yelp. 'My love for you is eternal,' he said and kissed her. 'Four years is nothing.'

She groaned and kissed him hungrily. 'You are as beautiful in this life as ever.'

'All for your enjoyment,' he replied easily. He smiled at her snort. 'But I have missed you greatly. I have dreamt of you every night, even before my awakening. When I saw you, I couldn't believe my eyes–you had been so close all this time.'

'I'm here now,' she said and brushed a hand over the side of his face gently. 'My eternal soul belongs to you no matter what, or how much time passes.'

'When I saw you dressed like this tonight, I could barely contain myself.'

She moved her hips over his playfully. 'I can tell,' she giggled and fluttered her eyelashes at him.

The belt around her waist fell from its place and the dress followed soon after, leaving her completely bare to him. His hands snaked their way further up, brushing against the underside of her breasts. She sucked in a deep breath at the feeling. Heat coiled in her stomach as he moved his hands over her, slow but purposefully. His hands brushed over her burning skin like a cool breeze, splaying over her ribs possessively.

She gasped as he cupped her breasts fully, massaging the soft flesh–moaning as he leaned down and caught one of her nipples in his mouth. He cupped the other breast and rubbed a callused pad over the taut nipple. His other hand reached down to her core. The moment he touched her, her hips bucked instinctively. He moved up and kissed her sweetly just as he slid his fingers over her hot core, expertly exploring each soaked fold. Her gasps bounced against the walls, filling up the space. Her back arched and she moaned as he slipped two fingers inside of her, and his free hand slid up her back to support her. Her mouth fell open as he pumped into her, the palm of his hand rubbing against her already sensitive bundle of nerves. He caressed her until she writhed against him, moaning his name.

When he chuckled, she sucked in a deep breath to regain some clarity. She reached down and pulled the last of his toga off. He snorted when she tugged at his underwear impatiently–a few seconds later he was as naked as she was.

'Impatient,' he commented and captured her lips briefly.

'I always liked you better naked,' she replied and straddled him again. 'You were mine, and only mine, when you were. No official business, no distractions. You were all mine to get lost in.'

He rubbed slow circles on her hips and leaned back against the backrest properly. 'I'm all yours,' he said heavily.

She shifted her position and slowly sunk down on him, breathing deeply as she did. His gaze darkened and the grip on her hips tightened. He groaned as she moved slowly but didn't make a move to increase the pace. He rarely did. He had always been more than happy to let her decide when he did and did not, and she was not going to pretend that having that control over him was anything but exciting–and it wasn't like he didn't give as good as he got either way.

She moved slowly, focusing on the feeling of him against her again, under her fingers, against her chest, and on her lips. How his hands moved over her skin, how his eyes left her nerve endings positively singing with a simple gaze. She kissed him–slow and deep, their tongues sliding against each other hungrily, but neither fighting for dominance. She smiled against him when he rumbled deep in his chest.

His hands moved over her back, pulling her flush against him. His nails dragged down her back just enough to sting and she arched with a gasp. He attached his lips to her neck, the barest hint of teeth scraping against her skin. Her eyes closed as she sucked in a deep breath. One of his hands moved down and palmed an asscheek as he sucked a mark to her collarbone, while the other moved down in-between her legs and rubbed her sensitive bundle of nerves.

Her hips jerked at the touch and she moaned, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she ground against his touch. She was so lost in her movements and his ministrations that she didn't hear the front door open and close. It wasn't until someone hummed appreciatively that her eyes opened. She blinked as she met the dark gaze of Shisui. Her gaze shifted and she saw the gold and red hues in his eyes, the outline of a lion's head, and the golden glow radiating from his person.

'Anhur,' she breathed as he stepped closer.

'Our beautiful Bast,' he mumbled and leaned down, capturing her lips briefly. 'Still getting lost in ecstasy so beautifully. You are a sight, as always.'

Her body hummed as he kissed her again, moving his lips against her kiss-swollen ones, and the hands on her hips moved them up, and then down. She didn't need any more encouragement. One of hers settled on the back of his head, deepening the kiss as she moved, while the other steadied her on Itachi's shoulder.

The hands on her hips moved down to the inside of her thighs, moving against the sensitive skin or pressing against the tendons. She moaned into his mouth as he reached down and palmed her breasts. Capturing taut nipples with his calloused fingers, rolling them harshly. Her mouth fell open and she sucked in a deep breath at the sensation, a string of saliva connecting them as they shared a hungry look.

He hummed deeply, a hairs-breath from a purr. 'Let's have a reunion party tomorrow,' he said and detached himself almost regretfully. 'I have a lady waiting,' he added with a smirk. 'Just getting some ice cream.'

This time, Akina didn't stop her movements–instead returning her attention to the man beneath her. She kissed him as Shisui disappeared into the kitchen. His hands roamed her body as she moved, keeping her body trembling at his touch.

She pulled back and looked up as a thought struck her. 'She's lactose intolerant,' she said.

'Good to know,' he called back. A moment later he appeared in the hallway and their eyes met. He smirked and gave her a heavy look as she continued to move. 'Save some strength for tomorrow.'

'No promises,' she replied and moaned as Itachi flicked her clit.

Her full attention returned to him. She leaned down and captured his lips in a deep, hungry kiss. He groaned into her mouth when she clenched around him and his grip on her hips tightened at the feeling. Her hips moved faster and faster, her eyes closing and head falling back the closer she got. A deep, needy whine left her lips and he felt her walls flutter around him.

His hands grasped her hips firmly and he thrust into her, matching her movements perfectly. When he felt the tell-tale tightening in his gut, he reached down between them and rubbed her clit harshly. She came with a high-pitched yell, clenching around him tightly as her back arched and mouth fell open. A few more thrusts and he spilled inside her, a drawn-out growl tore from his throat.

She collapsed against him, face in the crook of his neck and trembling arms on his shoulders. Her labored breathing washed over his naked chest and he rubbed his hands down her back soothingly, pressing kisses everywhere he could reach. He pulled a hand through her hair gently and leaned his head against the backrest with a content sigh.

'Worth waiting four years for?' she laughed lightly when the tremble in her arms settled enough to let her wrap them around his neck properly.

He rubbed his nose against her cheek playfully. 'Seeing your smile made it worth it,' he said and brushed a hand over her back. 'Everything else is just reminding me of why you are the only one to have ever caught me so entirely, my love,' he pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, adding in a whisper, 'my queen.'