Chapter 15

Together Then Apart

They lay together for several minutes, both breathing heavily while their hearts beat heavily against one another's chests, feeling the heat on each others bodies as Guimel lay with his weight raised up off Hiroko, braced up on his arms. As he stared down at her, he reached out and brushed the stray strands of hair from her face, his expression gently, though understandably drained.

"Hiroko…I…" She looked at him expectantly, not dismissing the gentleness in his tone, yet he said nothing more, only kissing her softly before he pulled away from her.

Sorrow spread through her and she sighed gently as he moved away, turning onto her side. The night was over and as like before he was away again, now that his business with her was done. But he did not do as she suspected he would. Instead he lay next to her, draping the satin throw from the far end of the bed up around both of them as he took her up in his arms. His hands ran along her back, his fingers tracing the small notches of her spine, and Hiroko released another sigh, this time in relief as she nuzzled against him, her hand pressing against his dampened chest as she closed her eyes. She could hear his heart, the fast beating rhythm slowing down to a steady pace. She didn't ask what he was going to say before; she wouldn't push him to either. If he didn't want to say it was fine; besides it may have been something she didn't really want to hear. And so she remained silent, content in his warm embrace, and allowed herself to be lulled to sleep by the beating of his heart.

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It was still dark out when Hiroko stirred in her sleep, awoken by the now familiar feeling of fingers tracing her back. Her arms came around the warm from beneath her, leaning further over as she released a small yawn. She glanced up, admiring the candles light, highlighting Guimel's blond hair and fine features as he in turn returned her sleepy gaze.

"Guimel," she murmured, her head nuzzling against the stomach her head had been resting against in her sleep, and smiled as his hold on her tightened. "What time is it?"

"It's still late!" came the quiet response, his voice sounding deeper from the tiredness audible in it. "So late we could in fact call it early." She chuckled ever so softly as he pulled her up against his hard form.

"Then why, when so many of we sensible people sleep, are you still awake?" she asked innocently.

"I was just thinking, that's all, Hiroko. Go back to sleep if you like." She rested both her hands against his chest, gently pushing herself up off him to place a small kiss against his lips before leaning back and shaking her head.

"I'm awake now…" she yawned, resting her head against his chest.

"Sounds like it," came the teasing tone but her only response was a sleepy 'hmmm' and she felt the rumble of amusement against her cheek as Guimel chuckled knowingly.

"What were you thinking of?" she murmured, eyes gradually closing as she smiled drowsily, her fingers tracing the sides of his waist.

"Wondering what to do…" came the thoughtful reply, Guimel's hand returning to his previous action of running up and down her back, his soothing actions quickly making her drowsiness return.

"And…" she managed to force herself to ask in the hazy mind of sleep. Yet she never heard the response, if that is, Guimel even replied to her question at all.

He lay still, feeling her soft breath upon his skin as she slept, his arms clasped protectively around her. I am so fucked, he thought, staring up at the ceiling, his mind far too awake to follow her into slumber. He had almost told her he loved her, seeing her so beautiful in the lamplight, the drops of sweat sparkling along her brow. He loved her? His throat had closed up at the realization, the wave of terror that instantly had engulfed him. But he hadn't shown it; she looked so peaceful: he had managed to undo the damage he'd wrought with their first time together and he didn't want to change that. And he also hadn't wanted to leave her, even beyond the usual "after time" that was required for a conquest's contentment. He didn't think that he ever wanted to leave her.

She sighed in her sleep; he felt her smile against his chest and he automatically held her a little tighter, even as he inwardly groaned. What was he going to do? He was entering the military in a month, with no guarantee of coming back. His father had taken a tour and had been part of the Empire's earlier, covert conquests; he had seen his comrades die and had been brutally honest to his son when he'd decided to put him in for his own tour. No guarantees...

He shivered, running his hand down Hiroko's back, enjoying her warmth. She stirred and woke, sleepily surprised to see him awake. He smiled and, after a few words of conversation, she went back to sleep, completely worn out by their joining. He ran his hand down her back again, softer this time, dipping his head to breathe in the sweet smell of her hair, then he stared back up at the ceiling. The best plan would be to have her marry Mustrum: she would be taken care of and he could still see her until he joined up. He immediately rejected the idea, unaccustomed jealousy flowing through him, his hold tightening around her once again. She was his! No one else could have her! He inwardly sneered at himself: what an attitude! But there it was, despite his experience and good sense. Well, no one had ever affected him this way, so he guessed he would just have to accept it. But the problem remained: how could he keep her and make sure she was taken care of?

The party was still going on strong downstairs: Guimel could hear the orchestra faintly playing a waltz. He smiled, thinking of the time they had danced, her light footsteps, that trusting face! He quelled a sigh. Perhaps he could formally court her: her engagement hadn't been publicly announced and the match was politically advantageous for his family, so Father would approve. He suddenly grinned, picturing the look on Naolin's face. It would be worth it just to see that! And winning his consent would be quite the challenge, after all...

Sleep was starting to overtake him: she had really worn him out! His hand caressed her hip then slid up to her waist, lightly stroking the soft, flat stomach. That boldness... his smile softened as his eyes closed on their own. He shook his head, suddenly: it wouldn't do to fall asleep here! Sooner or later someone would be coming up to check on her; and he had to get back downstairs before Kenneth figured out that he was neither watching him nor picking up a new conquest. He bent his head and kissed her brow.

"Wake up, Hiroko!" he said softly.

She heard his voice, somewhere in the back of her mind; the sound of him causing her to smile in her sleep, her mind registering he seemed to be talking to her yet this time sleep won out, her hold on him tightening slightly as released a contented sigh, her form pressing against his a little more.

He shook her a little bit. "Come on, Hiroko, you have to wake up!" he said, a little louder.

A soft humming noise of protest was released as Hiroko stirred, her head lifting slightly, though her eyes remained closed, before her head dropped back down onto his chest with a small sigh. She stifled a yawn before she finally looked up, her sleep-clouded eyes taking in Guimel's face as he stared at her and she smiled gently.

"We cannot stay like this," he said softly, her beautiful, peaceful expression going right to his heart. How he wanted to stay! But time was passing, and he was keenly aware of what could happen if he didn't leave, soon. "Your family will be checking up on you, and I need to get back to Kenneth before he wonders where I've gone."

He was right, she thought, suppressing the urge to protest, her head dropping back down to his chest in a sullen manner. Her eyes slowly began adjusting to the candle, and moon's light cast over the room, before releasing a disappointed sigh, her fingers tracing the smooth skin beneath them.

"I understand," she murmured softly. "You have to return to the party." Though she made no attempt to move, to content simply resting there.

He gently pushed her onto her back, leaning over her as he took her face in his hands.

"I want you with me, forever," he said, rushing the words together before he lost his nerve. "I would like to ask your father for permission to court you." God, he was shaking, he was so trepiditious! What if she said no?

She stared up at him, her eyes open wide, the sleepiness completely gone. Her lips parted to speak yet nothing came out. Her body felt so hot at that moment this feeling of shock at his abrupt words stunning her and leaving her quite mute. He wanted her. But…

"Why?" she finally whispered, her ability to talk finally returning to her.

"I will be leaving in a month - you must be taken care of!" he softly snarled, wanting to say the words screaming in his head but still unable to. There seemed to be some kind of block; a defense that hadn't been breeched.

She frowned slightly in confusion, not comprehending his words.

"I have my family," she replied plainly. "They are there to take care of me, aren't they!"

He was silent for a few seconds, then bent and kissed her.

"Of course," he said softly. "I'd forgotten about them." And he had, in his rush of concern for her. He inwardly laughed at himself: baka!

"Do you really want to? Court me I mean?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He smiled - she looked so incredulous! - and kissed her again.

"Hai," he whispered. "If you and your father will let me."

Her breath caught in her throat, her arms coming around him in a gentle embrace, her skeptical thoughts and worries flooding from her with his words. A small shiver ran through her as the relief coursed through her system and she stared up at him with requited care and emotion.

Guimel hugged her back, still trepiditious. Did this mean hai, he could do this? Or did this mean, that's a very nice thought, but I don't want you to? He let go of her, looking into the dark blue eyes.

"Is this what you would like?" he asked hesitantly.

She laughed gently, her hand coming up to run over his cheek, her smile brightening at his words. He seemed positively unnerved, waiting for her reply.

"Of course I would!" she replied happily. "I would like nothing more than to have that."

"Oh, Hiroko," he said softly, then kissed her again, a deep, long kiss that caused a slow pound to start in his blood. Oh, if only he could have her, again! But there was no time. No time... He ran his hand down her body, softly riding over the curves of her flesh, lightly scoring his nails against her skin as his desire grew.

Her body shivered at his touch, a small sound rising in the back of her throat, as her own hand ran into his hair, through the silk locks. The thought of pulling away did occur to her, to tell him to go but she stopped herself, simply enjoying his touch against her body.

His words had to touched her to deeply that night, or morning, whatever the time may be. No she didn't want him to leave yet. Perhaps she could just persuade him to stay a little longer.

He broke the kiss, tilting his head back, reveling in the feel of her fingers in his hair. That boldness... he wanted to see it in his sons! And those beautiful eyes... "I must go!" he softly exclaimed. "Kenneth will find out if I don't! He's very sharp. He sat up and pulled lightly on her hand. "I'm taking a quick bath - join me!"

She blushed, though she was unsure why, considering how intimate they had been with each other already, before shaking her head gently.

"You seem to get side tracked very easily, my lord," she murmured. "Don't you think I would only be a hindrance if I came with you?"

"I believe, my lady, that you have completely exhausted me," he replied, his face serious, then he smiled and got out of bed. "Stay here and sleep," he murmured, bending down to brush his lips against her brow. "And, if all goes well, I will soon be able to visit you as I should - properly!"

"The bathing room is through that door." She spoke sweetly as she sat up in bed, before pointing to the second of two doors at the opposite end of the chamber. "You can't miss it."

"Arigato," he said, then went to the bathing room. He filled the tub halfway with warm water, then quickly washed up, a sense of urgency growing within him.

She watched him go, hugging the sheet to her before chuckling gently. How strange that night had been, oh the revelations which had happened and the things which had been exchanged. She sighed gently as she slipped from the bed, the sound of the bath been drawn long since stopped. She tied the sheet around her bare form as she bent to gather Guimel's clothes, smoothing them out neatly before making her way over towards the chamber door he had entered through only a short time before.

He came back into the room, a towel wrapped around his waist, to find Hiroko standing at the door, holding his clothes and smiling at him. He raised an eyebrow.

"My lady?" he asked.

"I presumed you would be needing these, that's all," she sweetly responded, her fingers smoothing over the fabric of his jacket. "Luckily it's not creased."

"Domo arigato," he said with an answering smile, taking the clothes from her and putting them on. He sat on one of the chairs by her bed, pulling his long boots on.

"I'm sure Kenneth has a room already for us - he's very organized." He finished buckling up his boots and stood, taking her in his arms. "You feel very right, this way," he said softly. "I will never leave you again."

"Though that's what you are about to do right now?" she teased gently, her smile bright, her own arms resting at his sides. "No doubt my uncle will have procured some entertainment for tomorrow morning, besides breakfast. He seems to have a fondness for extravagancy in all forms. I'm sure I will see you there some time. Though I do hope it will be more than just a fleeting glance of you."

He grinned, suddenly. "We'll just have to see how your brother's feeling!" He kissed her quickly, then let go of her. "Until tomorrow, my lady," he said, moving towards the bedroom door.

She nodded her head, her hands now clasped before her against her chest.

"I'll most likely be entertaining guests in the drawing room. And we shall see how my brother is feeling. Though I do not doubt your reception will be anything but friendly."