A/AN: This is a little interlude between Aya and Mine, which ends in a lemon. I was always planning to write about how they got together (because I love their relationship!) but I realized that this is the best time to bring it out in this story. Let's leave Chris and Gure to their own devices for a bit. The answers for questions can wait. Trust me, they're happy. So here we're going to bring back the old convention of point and counter point conversations. Aya is in black and Mine isn't. And Shigure and Hatori pop in at the end to give their two cents worth. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
As usual, I do not own Fruits Basket or the characters therein.
The perfect fit (Lemon)
After fielding several calls with Chris's assistant, we finally agreed on the number of kimonos needed for the show and the number of models that needed to be hired. As I had an entire storage closet filled with the family's kimonos worn by dragons, dogs and snakes going far back into history, I had no problem selecting the best of the best. I of course gave top priority to my own designs as that was the point of the show, but I couldn't help but choose some of the gorgeous pieces from the past. I was quite happy with the lineup, but I soon realized that there were two things missing from that collection, the two most important pieces of the entire show: We were missing the Dragon Wizard's and the Koi Princess' wedding garb. As none of the zodiac members had ever married there was no need for such garments to be made. We were never intended to have families. We were the family's sacrificial lambs, born to pay the dues for wrongs done long ago. So, I would need to create them.
I blithely began my task sketching them as if they were run of the mill pieces of clothing, but then I put my pencil down as reality hit me full on. Not only would these special kimonos be seen walking down the runway, but most likely the aisle. For whom else would Tori-sama and Mayu- chan choose to make their beautiful wedding clothes but me? I had no time, however. So, I pushed back those thoughts, and continued my given task.
However, my attempts at soldiering on without any thought to the implications came to a halt when I began the process of choosing fabric. Walking into the storeroom, I found a bolt of fabric that I had purchased in China as a teenager: a beautiful red silk embroidered with golden dragons. It was precious as the thread was made from spun gold and it shone like the sun. I had intended to make something for Tori-san out of it but could never decide what garment would best suit the beautiful fabric. So, the bolt lay for years in its dust cover, nearly forgotten. I knew that moment, I knew exactly what it was meant for.
As wedding trousseaus were complicated, I had my work cut out, so I called Mine into my office and asked for her help on this momentous what a task it was! Each garment had several layers. I also added formal attire for Gure and myself to the show's roster, as it was only proper that we match the splendor of the royal couple. (I decided that I would secretly create a red insert for Gure's kimono, for reasons.) Mine exuberantly said yes and became my constant companion during those last weeks before Okinawa.
I found myself growing quite attached to her as the hours spun away. Our hours weren't only spent at work. We often went out to eat, and dinner turned to drinks, which turned to going for walks through the sleeping city. Our camaraderie grew fast, and I began to feel other feelings for her. We even ended up falling asleep together on the chaise in my office one night after spending long hours looking at swatches for the under layers of Mayu's wedding outfit. When I awoke, I found she had wrapped her arms around me in her sleep. I lay quietly so as not to wake her as I found I loved her touch. I smoothed a curl from her face gently and she woke with a start, saying
"Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean it, "
But I looked at her tenderly and said,
"I should be the one to apologize as I'm running you off your feet."
She looked at me with unveiled emotion, saying,
"I love being a part of this project.
I love seeing you so excited.
I love…your work."
Her words nearly hit home. But as we were on a deadline and I wanted to help Gure so much and wanted to present Tori-san and Mayu-chan with a sign that I blessed their union, I pushed my rising feelings away and rather took stock of what we had left to do. I thought I saw a flash of disappointment in Mine's eyes, but I wasn't quite ready to see it.
As we approached the deadline when Gure and Chris would return to see the fruits of our labor, I found that we had reached a place in the project where live models would make things easier to visualize how the stiff fabric would drape. While my mannequins were set to both Tori and Mayu's measurements, it wasn't quite the same. I called Mine and asked her to put Mayu's ensemble on. While the two were vastly different heights, they had similar chest measurements and so she would be able to at least give me some idea how it would look on Mayu. She went into the dressing room and, after several minutes' past, (it was designed for a winter wedding and had several layers) she came out asking me to close my eyes. when I opened them, she stood on the podium before me swathed in silk.
She was a vision.
She was captivating.
She was standing surprisingly taller than I had expected.
The itsutsuginu-karaginu-mo draped beautifully on her, giving me a much clearer view of how it would look on statuesque Mayu than the mannequin ever could. I beamed, saying
"Your perfect, I mean it's a perfect fit!"
She smiled back saying,
"I knew you'd want a better idea of how Mayu's wedding ensemble looked on a real person, so I bought really tall heels!"
She tried to pivot to show the ensemble from all angles, but she wasn't used to the sheer weight of the most formal of formal kimonos, so she nearly toppled over. Fortunately, I caught her before she went sailing to the floor and I held her in my arms. I was so taken by her beauty that I leaned down to kiss her.
Mine looked surprised but recovered and threw her arms around me and met my embrace. I brought her to the chaise, lay her down, and leaned over and kissed her deeply. A tremor occurred, and I wondered if that could have been a Sohma moment. Mine, who was suddenly breathless, most likely felt it as well, but covered by saying,
"I better take this off before I crimp the gold thread.
At that moment I was filled with a rising feeling for her that had been building over the time we had spent together. I saw those feelings mirrored in Mine's eyes. So, I whispered,
"Let me help you."
And slowly, after several minutes of unwrapping her, her body emerged, until she lay before me in her frilly slip and corset. Kissing her again I rose under the guise of returning the precious top layers of the kimono to the mannequin and went to my desk to give us options should need arise. I retuned and found the need was very much there. She had positioned herself on the chaise in an alluring manner. Looking up at me, over the rims of her glasses, I was undone. Fortunately, she took the lead as I was nervous. She rose before me, turned, and whispered,
"Unlace me."
"Like a beautiful package."
I could feel him growing behind me. I was still surprised yet overjoyed to find that he felt the same way as I did. I felt my corset loosen as his deft hands undid the laces. As it fell, he replaced it with his hands, cupping my breasts and pulling me closer. He leaned down, kissing the nape of my neck. I felt my knees weaken so I sat down on the chaise and drew him down beside me. Undoing the buttons of his silky shirt, I ran my hands down his chest.
Her breasts were heavenly. Bending down, I took one of her nipples in my mouth and began to gently suck. She arched her back, closed her eyes and cradled my head in her arms. Her face was filled with such pure satisfaction that I was nearly moved to tears. Beauty had that effect on me. Opening her eyes, she smiled and urged my head lower. I slowly moved down her body, slowly embracing her skin. Reaching her slip, I slowly pulled it off, savoring the view of her in her lace panties.
I was nearly brought over by the feeling of his kisses on my lace covered mound. Looking at me, questioningly, I nodded and soon my panties joined my slip and the piles and piles of silk underrobes. His tongue seemed to have a mind of its own, slithering and flicking like a snake between my folds. He brought me such pleasure. Burying my hands in his long silvery hair, I soon reached climax, crying,
"Oh Aya!"
He kissed me and held me close.
Her cries of pleasure almost brought me over myself, and I knew I needed her. Divesting myself of the rest of my clothes, I lay down beside her. Mine's hands moved down my body and wrapped around my member she then took me into her mouth. I began to crest but pulled away saying,
"I need you Mine."
"I need you too."
I put on a condom and found myself tackled to the bed. She was an enthusiastic lover.
I couldn't help myself. The passion raised within me during those days spending every waking hour with Aya without any release from the growing sexual tension brought me to the edge. Straddling him, I lowered myself on to him. I started slowly, enjoying the feeling of him moving below me. His hands cupped my breasts, and his lips traced my chin. As I felt myself getting closer, I sped up my rhythm and he matched me, thrusting upwards in time, and soon the two of us climaxed together. I fell beside him, and he held me close.
Smiling I said,
"Well, I guess the kimono is a perfect fit."
He replied,
"So are you."
It was growing a bit chilly in the office as the heat had switched to the night program. So, we wrapped ourselves in the under layers of Mayu's ensemble and adjourned to my apartment. I didn't have much in the way for him to wrap up in, but I did find the yukata I wore at a summer festival. It was a bit short on his long lanky form, but it suited him.
Sitting down on the couch, I rested my head on his shoulder.
He kissed my forehead and said,
"Well, this worked out wonderfully. Not only did we create a beautiful ensemble, but we also discovered something beautiful between ourselves."
"Yes," I said, "Although we should probably keep it from Hatori and Mayuko that they won't be the first to shed the layers to the floor.
He smiled at me devilish and said, "we still must finish Tori-Sama and Gure's kimonos. You can do the honors next time."
He whispered into my ear,
"But I get to be on top!"
As we were both exhausted from the long hours sewing and other strenuous activities we fell into my bed, knowing we'd have several other days of sewing. But we had other diverting tasks as well.
As the days went by, we finished the garments. And, when we had finally finished Hatori's wedding garb, Aya was good as his promise! Aya stood before me in the gorgeous kimono jacket that was created using fabric with koi fish on it as well as the pants and undergarments. After determining the pieces were perfect (although they did drag a bit on the floor given that Tori was an impressive 6 feet tall!) I slowly removed the layers from Aya's body, kissing his skin as it was revealed. He then carried me upstairs, lay me down on our bed (he had moved in with me), and made love to me. And he was amazing. Watching his silver hair swirl around his shoulders as he thrust into me was mesmerizing. And I almost felt transfixed in his gaze. He brought me to orgasm after orgasm. As I lay in his arms, I couldn't help but say,
"I'm so glad this finally happened! I wasn't sure it would."
His earnest golden eyes were filled with tears. Wiping his cheek I said,
"Don't cry, Aya, you'll make me cry."
"They're tears of joy for finding you."
We held each other close. I felt like we had found each other after searching through the cold dark winter. As I looked out the window at the rising sun, I almost felt the sun had warmed a few degrees.
he matched me, thrusting upwards in time, and soon the two of us climaxed together. I fell beside him, and he held me close.
Smiling I said,
"Well, I guess the kimono is a perfect fit."
He replied,
"So are you."
It was growing a bit chilly in the office as the heat had switched to the night program. So, we wrapped ourselves in the under layers of Mayu's ensemble and adjourned to my apartment. I didn't have much in the way for him to wrap up in, but I did find the yukata I wore at a summer festival. It was a bit short on his long lanky form, but it suited him.
Sitting down on the couch, I rested my head on his shoulder.
He kissed my forehead and said,
"Well, this worked out wonderfully. Not only did we create a beautiful ensemble, but we also discovered something beautiful between ourselves."
"Yes," I said, "Although we should probably keep it from Hatori and Mayuko that they won't be the first to shed the layers to the floor.
He smiled at me devilish and said, "we still must finish Tori-Sama and Gure's kimonos. You can do the honors next time."
He whispered into my ear,
"But I get to be on top!"
As we were both exhausted from the long hours sewing and other strenuous activities we fell into my bed, knowing we'd have several other days of sewing. But we had other diverting tasks as well.
As the days went by, we finished the garments. And, when we had finally finished Hatori's wedding garb, Aya was good as his promise! Aya stood before me in the gorgeous kimono jacket that was created using fabric with koi fish on it as well as the pants and undergarments. After determining the pieces were perfect (although they did drag a bit on the floor given that Tori was an impressive 6 feet tall!) I slowly removed the layers from Aya's body, kissing his skin as it was revealed. He then carried me upstairs, lay me down on our bed (he had moved in with me), and made love to me. And he was amazing. Watching his silver hair swirl around his shoulders as he thrust into me was mesmerizing. And I almost felt transfixed in his gaze. He brought me to orgasm after orgasm. As I lay in his arms, I couldn't help but say,
"I'm so glad this finally happened! I wasn't sure it would."
His earnest golden eyes were filled with tears. Wiping his cheek I said,
"Don't cry, Aya, you'll make me cry."
"They're tears of joy for finding you."
We held each other close. I felt like we had found each other after searching through the cold dark winter. As I looked out the window at the rising sun, I almost felt the sun had warmed a few degrees.
Hatori and Shigure Interlude
The world shifted once again. The bonds between us loosened even more but we did not feel a loss. Rather, it felt like someone had just found their way home after being lost in the cold. And we felt richer for the addition.
A/N: So that's how Aya and Mine found each other. The circle is complete, and the bonds have nicely stretched to accommodate new souls. We still have a few stops before Okinawa, but our journey is near completion. As always r and r and I remain- Acta!
