Chapter 2
"Can I try something? You can consider it an experiment," Renji asked.
"With food? Definitely. You know I love your cooking," I answered.
"It's not with food Arina. I want to try something with you, but I don't want to do it without your permission," Renji said quietly.
I looked up at him. Genius that I am, I was having a hard time figuring out what he was getting at.
"What are you saying Renji?"
He looked nervous all of a sudden. "Arina, may I kiss you?"
I gasped. Renji had never truly asked anything of me. He stepped away at the same moment that I went to chew on my lip.
"If you don't want to it's fine, but please just tell me."
I thought about it. These past few years had been really hard on me. But Renji had taken it all in stride.
"Sure Renji. I owe you that much," I replied to him. I sniffed. Renji smelled it too.
"Hold that thought," he said as he darted off to the kitchen.
I giggled. "I heard that," Renji yelled.
I followed his voice, and the smell, into the kitchen. Renji was pouring a pan of grease into an old pot. I instantly knew what it was he was making. It was a type of stir fry with a special sauce that he makes. Every time he cooks with it, it smells different. There was also rice steaming on the stove.
It was then that I realized I was still in my court robes. "I'll be right back Renji. I'm going to go change into some more comfortable robes, okay?"
All I got was a head nod. Renji was too absorbed in his cooking to say anything.
I already had extra clothes of mine here at Renji's. I'd spent days here in the past. The result being that my father had ne leave some robes there for future visits.
A few minutes later I rejoined Renji in the kitchen after storing my court robes in the cabinets in the guest room. In the kitchen, the table was set with the plates heaped with food, and two glasses of water on the table as well. Renji motioned for me to sit. I did so.
Dinner was an enjoyable time, and not once did the subject of my brother come up. Afterwards I helped Renji with the dishes. When I was least expecting it, Renji lifted me off my feet and carried me into the living room, where we assumed a position on the couch similar to one earlier that day.
"So about this kiss Arina. Are you sure you want to," he asked with a slight hint of a joke inside his voice.
"Yes, but I'm not sure how Renji. I've never kissed anyone before", I answered quietly turning my head away.
His hand caught my chin.
He turned my face toward his. "That doesn't matter to me. I'll show you how."
With that his lips locked onto mine. It took me a while to relax but Renji went slow. After about fifteen seconds he pulled away.
"Don't stop," I whispered. I was addicted. Renji complied. This time the kiss had more passion. His tongue asked for entrance and I gave it. When we stopped I realized that I had straddled his lap in the process.
"Sorry," I muttered blushing. I went to move, but Renji's hands on my hips stopped me.
"For what? That was beyond description," Renji replied bringing his lips up to mine for more.
While we were kissing, Renji stood up and when I started to slide, his hands moved from my hips to the back of my thighs, keeping me in place. The next thing I knew, because I was so lost in the kissing, was falling onto Renji's futon. His lips moved to my neck and his hands went to undo the small knot on my robe. My legs were still wrapped around his waist. It was then that Hoshitomo's word repeated themselves in my head, '…he trusts that you and Abarai-sama won't do anything that you'll regret."
"Renji…we have… to…stop," I eventually got out.
"Why? I know what I'm…SHIT," he answered quickly rolling to my left. "I am so sorry Arina. I wasn't thinking…"
His words were cut off as I rolled on top of him and put my lips on his.
"Don't be sorry Renji. It's both our faults. We got caught up in our passion and forgot our boundaries. That's all," I told him.
I rolled back to my side of the bed, letting him get the door, the light, and the blankets.
"You forgive to easily sometimes Arina," he said. "Sometimes you should let others take the blame."
I sighed. There was no arguing with him now. He was already laying down beside me with his arm over my waist.
"Good night Renji," I said yawning.
"Good night, sweet Arina," he replied kissing my hair.