AN: Unfortunately, the next chapter will be a week late. Animaniacal, who has been really cool and helpful beta-reading this story is going to Japan for a week. As we have been rewriting and editing unpublished chapters on weekly basis, this will cause some delay. Sorry about that!
Warnings for soft-core sexual content, eg. kissing, petting, fingering, fellatio
Chapter 26. The Harvest
The rains finally eased off, as autumn slowly turned into winter. Their field had suffered from the flooding, but not everything was lost. Diligently Kenshin pruned the wilted and browned leaves, removed the dead plants lest they rot in the ground. It was sad work, but he knew that if it wasn't done, the few surviving plants would die too.
Thankfully, the soil was drying. The nights were steadily getting colder, but the morning sun was still enough to melt the frost. If the ground froze, it would destroy what little chance there was for his plants to make it. Yet, despite all that, Kenshin dared to hope that maybe, just maybe… some of their hard work could be harvested? He wanted to see something he had grown with his own hands, put so much effort into flourish. It would be a tangible proof that he wasn't only good at killing things.
Yes, if this worked… he could show Tomoe that he wasn't only a killer.
When it came to the moments of intimacy they shared, the issue of his pleasure stayed between them. He had done his best to allow her hesitant touches, but it was just… when the liquid fire rose, the feeling was so intense and it ended so fast and abruptly. On some level, Kenshin knew he was being unfair to himself. But what good was it if just a few strokes brought him over the edge and the result was this terrible mess? And it was Tomoe that did the laundry!
He couldn't help but feel bad about it.
Yet despite his protests, Tomoe was determined and wasn't letting the matter drop. So maybe, with enough time, they could figure out a way. If only to bring her peace of mind.
During the daytime hours though, they were getting an increasing stream of visitors coming to their way – and most of them children. It seemed that their neighbor's kids, Ichirou, Noburou, and Aimi-chan had really delighted in coming over to play at their place and they had dared to invite a few of their friends to come back with them. The logic behind the choice was obvious: meeting somewhere halfway, none of the kids had to travel too far. While Kenshin and Tomoe didn't exactly mind the children coming over, they had been worried what the kids' parents might think of this, but luckily their improving reputation had already smoothed over most of the kinks. Apparently the Himuras were slowly being acknowledged as trusted members of the community.
What had helped their reputation the most was, ironically enough, Kenshin's cover job. Now that it was late fall and the flu was spreading across the area, many people inquired after remedies. If they didn't visit their house, then they stopped Kenshin and Tomoe on the road or in the village when they went to shop for groceries.
In a way, it was a relief. They didn't have go out to sell the medicines now that people were coming to ask for them. However, it brought up a new issue of how to get more medicine. Their stock was running low and they couldn't exactly go out to get more. After all, knowing as little as they did about this job, the only way they could get more would be to buy them in Kyoto.
Thankfully, Iizuka-san dropped in to visit them early in the eleventh month. Along with news, he brought another full medicine chest. When Kenshin inquired about the reason, Iizuka-san scoffed and said it was the rebels' way of paying his stipend, very much the same way as they had paid him every month when he had stayed in Kyoto. It made sense, in a way.
When it came to the rebel's situation, well, things had changed somewhat: Choshuu had gotten Takasugi out of prison and he was doing his best to rally support in the province. Yet Kyoto was still completely under the Bakufu's control and everyone even suspected of supporting the populist agenda was being hunted down and suppressed.
Iizuka-san warned him that when things changed, they would change with speed and requested for Kenshin to come meet with him every fortnight on the road from Otsu to Kyoto.
It wasn't a big issue for Kenshin. He liked walking and meeting Iizuka-san halfway would keep the trouble with the rebels out of Tomoe's hair. She had finally confessed to him that she would prefer not to see Iizuka-san, if it could at all be avoided. Kenshin understood the sentiment. His closest superior wasn't the most pleasant of men in general and neither he nor Tomoe wanted to bring up the fighting, the war, or the rebellion needlessly. But at the same time, duties were duties and he couldn't avoid them.
Of course, now that he was no longer just a nameless face for the people in the neighborhood, people stopped to chat with him every time he left the house. They were especially curious to see him traveling alone.
It was a strange thing to notice, but he hadn't gone anywhere without Tomoe by his side for months, had he? And while Kenshin didn't care for lying, the truth was the last thing he could admit to and so, he had taken to evasively explaining that he was restocking supplies in the mountains. It was even true as far as the facts went: he met Iizuka-san on the mountain road and he did get supplies during those trips. The rest, well… that wasn't anyone else's business but his own.
So the days had settled into their own rhythm and it seemed like time was flying by faster than he could keep track. There were no boring or empty days in his life anymore. Every day was filled with new things to learn, new people to meet… and most often, new experiences that brought a smile to his lips.
The children's visits were especially fun, as embarrassing as it was to admit.
Tomoe seemed to enjoy her role as peacekeeper, counter of points and achievements. She excelled at it, truly. Her natural calm worked wonders for soothing hurt tempers or reigning in the more rambunctious children whenever necessary. However, Kenshin found himself dragged to partake in the games more often than not. Strange as it was, the kids had decided that it was worth the trouble to convince him to play, even if he was always more than hesitant to join in.
Playing with kids wasn't a very husbandly or adult-like activity and yet, there was something soothing in the carefree manner the kids played. It eased some painful pressure in his chest, a wound deep down he hadn't even realized was hurting.
Perhaps, it was the same for Tomoe?
Her eyes seemed really soft sometimes, whenever he caught sight of them amidst the children's laughter.
One day Kenshin found himself showing the kids the sort of games he had played with his own brothers, once upon a time. As a child from a very poor family, he hadn't had the luxury of toys – every game had been built from whatever tools they had managed to scramble together on their own, and rest had been built on imagination.
It caught the kid's attention straight away. None of these kids had much, either. After all, the lives of the ordinary folk had been getting worse for quite some time, and even here, near the capital, the farmers' families had been tightening their purses for years. So instead of looking down on his tricks of how to build toy soldiers and animals out of cones, sticks and straws… the kids gulped down every bit of advice he shared, utterly enchanted by the possibilities that making their own toys opened.
So they played, crafting elaborate stories and making them more real with make-shift figurines. For the older children, this expanded into larger toys, so to speak. Drawn lines on the yard became provincial borders, a stick with a bit of hay tied around the end became a horse, another stick became a sword, and so they had samurai, farmers, and villagers, popular folk stories re-enacted in a children's game.
The kids loved it.
Tomoe found it fascinating as well, even if she was somewhat wary of the boy's insistence on waving sticks around whenever they played samurai. She didn't like the thought of fighting, but even she could admit that there was little harm letting the boys act out stories of their heroes. And while the use of imagination to enhance stories was familiar to her, she had been a child from a good family and she had always had toys available, paper balls, puppets and dolls. Perhaps that was the reason why none of the games the children or he had come up with were in any way familiar to her?
It was a curious difference and despite knowing it was a foolish expense, Kenshin bought a light paper ball from the village. She noted his purchase with some amusement, but didn't protest when he suggested she show some of the games she knew to the kids.
Needless to say, the fragile ball became a new favorite – especially for the girls.
It was a good thing, for the most part. The younger girls of the brood gathering to play on their yard didn't always have the endurance to stick it out in the boy's games for too long.
However, one afternoon Aimi-chan fell down while balancing the ball on her head and managed to hurt her knee. It was a little scrape, but Tomoe took her inside to patch it up. However, the second the little girl stepped out, she declared to everyone on the yard, with her trademark enthusiasm, that the Himuras house was really nice and they had lots of cool stuff, like a super mean-looking sword leaning against the wall!
Which, of course, caused Kenshin to instantly curse his habit of leaving his sword out in the open. He still needed the reassurance of having a sword in his hands every night and it was just easier to prop it against the wall during the day. He hadn't even considered the possibility that someone might accidentally see it.
Unfortunately, that word was all it took to catch every kid's attention. Especially the boys, they become like dogs hunting for a bone.
"Kenshin-san, why do you have a sword? Is it a real sword?" Noburou, the youngest of their neighbor's sons asked, his eyes shining with curiosity.
"Uh… um..." Kenshin scrambled for words. "It's just something to protect Tomoe with."
Instantly an eager chorus surrounded him, bombarding him with questions, comments, and demands.
"Ooh!"
"So can you use it?"
"Are you a warrior?"
"I wanna see it."
"Show it!"
"Swords are so cool!"
And for a moment, Kenshin wanted to smack himself in the face for his utter stupidity. Damn it! Why do I always have to answer, even when I know nothing good will come of it? Rather desperately, he tried to defuse the situation. "I haven't used it in a long time and I am definitely not going to draw it without a reason." Narrowing his eyes seriously, he added firmly, "Swords are not something to be played with."
In truth, Kenshin hadn't even thought about swordsmanship in ages. Tomoe didn't care for fighting and he did his best to do right by her. Even now, he found himself looking at her over his shoulder, searching for some sign of what to do. She was tense, sadness was apparent in her dark eyes. She truly didn't like to be reminded of fighting.
He didn't either.
He was happy here with her, living this quiet life.
Around him, the kids' eagerness had turned into obvious disappointment, as they had truly wanted to see the sword and some tricks.
"But what if you taught us how to play at sword-fighting with sticks?" Noburou insisted. "It wouldn't hurt anyone! You could show us how it's done for real and we could play samurai better!"
That's… not a half bad idea. Kenshin blinked in surprise, before nodding slightly. And just like that, it was decided. Whenever the younger kids got too tired for games that required more participants, Tomoe could show them something less taxing to do and the older boys would play sword-fighting with him.
Despite Kenshin's initial wariness, it turned out to be quite fun. Treating swordsmanship like a game, it reminded him why he had loved the art so much as a child. And the best thing? Seeing the boys laughing, waving their sticks around like he showed them… it didn't bring the sad frown to Tomoe's face, either.
The weeks flew by, the nights growing colder and the days shorter.
Early in the 12th month Kenshin finally decided to harvest their field. Overnight frosts had been getting more frequent, and no matter how pathetic his few surviving vegetables would be, they wouldn't grow much anymore in any case, now that snow was just around the corner. However, to his utter surprise, the few vegetables that had survived were perfectly fine looking. Sure, they were smaller than usual, but still alright. And there were quite a few of them too!
He was so happy about it that Tomoe suggested buying some celebratory sake and fresh fish from the village. So that evening, they enjoyed a proper feast made out of their own harvest. Tomoe had grilled fresh fish and seasoned it with their own radishes. She had also boiled carrots and fried cabbages, seasoning them with soy and ginger and pickled beets.
The food was so good that he couldn't get enough of it and kept asking for seconds. Tomoe's delightful cooking made out of something he had managed to grown with his own hands… This was what satisfaction felt like, Kenshin decided. This feeling, right now, it made all their hard work and worry over the field worth it.
Tomoe seemed to share his happiness, as her ki was warm and her gaze soft. After a long moment of consideration, she broke the comfortable silence, "You smile a lot these days."
Kenshin glanced up, a bit surprised. "Do I?"
She nodded thoughtfully, a hint of sadness entering her gaze. "If your life had taken another route, you could have been happy living like this, working your field and eating food grown with your own hands."
Frowning a bit, he set down his bowl on the table, not really interested in the meal anymore. What is this about? He didn't like the sadness in her eyes. Has she been thinking about the past again? Or the future?
Why?
Is it because of the meetings I have been having with Iizuka-san? Does she fear that our time living here together is coming to an end?
"I guess that's true," Kenshin allowed after a moment's pause. If it all had been different, he might have grown up to be just another farmer. Rubbing his brow, he thought back on the twists of his life and the choices he made, good and bad, and all the might-have-beens.
Come to think of it, have I ever told her this?
"I have been through a lot of bad times," he began, glancing up at her. "I was born in the middle of a famine and lost my parents and brothers to cholera. From a young age I trained relentlessly under the Hiten Mitsurugi style. Now… I am Choshuu's assassin. In all my life, in my dealings with people, I haven't had a lot to smile about."
She tensed at his stark words – yet she didn't shy away behind the veil of hurt like she tended to. Could it mean that she would listen to him? Maybe even start to understand why he fought?
"I learned the principles of the Hiten Mitsurugi style, wielded my blade and killed for the sake of a better world, to insure the safety and happiness of the common people." He repeated the phrase he had carved into his soul, the words he had said to himself time and time again during the worst nights in Kyoto when it had all felt so empty, so meaningless. Closing his eyes, he exhaled slowly and whispered, "And yet… I know now that it was a misguided idea."
It felt like heresy to say it, but he knew the moment he said it that it was the truth.
He swallowed, once, twice… then raised his gaze to meet her shocked eyes. "The best I can do is to live here and create life instead of destroying it. I have never known happiness until now. It wasn't until recently that I even understood what the word meant. It's living here, spending time in the village and coming home to you. That's what true happiness is."
He took a breath and continued, his voice gaining certainty with each word. "Living here with you, it has made me realize how horrible my life as an assassin truly was. And the reason why I learned this essential lesson… is you." He couldn't help the smile that rose to his lips, because everything he said felt so right. "Tomoe, you have taught me this new way to live, given me this happiness. From now on, that is what I will fight for."
The hesitation and coldness bled out of her ki and she nodded. Just once, but it meant the world to him.
There was no need for words, anymore.
She understood his reasons, even if she didn't agree with them wholeheartedly. It was enough. He knew how much she disliked war, the very thought of fighting, no matter its purpose. Yet, despite their differences, she was there and she had listened to him and understood. It was more than anyone else had ever done for him.
In silence, they returned to their meal and afterwards, they shared the sake. She took a moment to warm it for them. Together they sat next to the fire pit, watching and listening to the crackling fire.
It was only then that she spoke. "After this war is over… I'd like to live like this with you."
Kenshin glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes before reaching for her hand. Yes, to live with her like this, he would like that, too – oh, it was everything he wanted.
She reached out to him, gently stroking his left cheek and turning his face so their eyes would meet. There was a certainty in her tone, an undeniable inner strength. "And if it happens, if we can have that life together… then I want to have a child, a daughter, with your eyes."
What could a man say to that? Kenshin smiled, laying his own hand on top of hers as he promised, "Then we will."
As the end of the year approached, the weather turned colder. The ground froze, and even the surface of the nearby stream was frozen over, so that he had to break open the ice every time he went to fetch water. Snow should be coming any day now. If Kenshin was entirely honest, he had been waiting for it. He had always liked snow and the bereft emptiness on the ground, the muddy roadsides and withered plants, the leafless trees… everything was so brown and dead. It would be nice to have fresh snow to cover it.
Kenshin was getting a little bit worried by the news from the Capital. Just few days ago he had met with Iizuka-san again, and his superior had told him that Takasugi-san had led the Kiheitai to take over the provincial government in Hagi. Choshuu was literally boiling with dissidence again. To make it worse, no one had heard from Katsura-san since the Hamaguri Gate rebellion, and people had even taken to calling him "Runaway Kogoro."
It made Kenshin's blood boil that people would so easily lose their faith to Katsura-san.
What was even more worrying was that according to Iizuka-san, it wouldn't be long before the Bakufu would try to flush out the rebels that were hiding in the countryside and back in the province…
It didn't help that lately Kenshin had been thinking back to events from the summer. How the Bakufu had ordered a hit on him long before the Ikeda-ya. Weeks before the Shinsengumi's famous strike on the rebels, some faction of the Bakufu had known about Hitokiri Battousai's identity. And if they had known his face then, what would stop them from following him here?
He was too easily recognizable.
And if those men came for him, now that the Capital was under Bakufu's control... then Tomoe, too, would be in danger.
The very thought brought chills to his skin. It seemed that no matter what, their peaceful reprieve in Otsu was drawing to a close. However, without word from Katsura-san, Kenshin couldn't exactly take Tomoe and move elsewhere, either. No, somehow… he just needed to sit tight and ignore his worries and fears.
Thankfully, with the winter on them, the Bakufu's options would be restricted, too. With the threat of snow arriving at any moment, no one would be chasing after rebels this deep in the countryside. After all, this high in the uplands, when the snow came, it would come fast and heavy, enough to make travelling difficult.
Yes, if only the snow would come… then they would still have time together, here in their paradise.
It made him feel better about the situation.
The persistent cold had pushed them to buy warmer clothing from the village, such as two more yukata, along with haori coats and thicker socks. It was somewhat expensive, buying so much at once, but given how meager their clothing options were, the spending was necessary.
Another thing changed by the winter was their bathing routine. Their house was too small to have a proper bath house like Okami's inn, or the bathtub Tomoe had grown up with in her childhood home. Still, despite the inconvenience, she liked staying clean. So he did his best to please her, no matter how much work it took to carry home the icy water from the stream and heat it up inside.
Though admittedly, Kenshin couldn't exactly claim that he disliked her insistence on bathing often. Especially since she didn't mind him washing her back, or any other spot, when his hands began to wander... and she didn't seem to mind the things that often followed her bath, either.
No, this isn't all that bad, Kenshin decided with a slight grin. He was gently rinsing soap from her chest, taking in how her lips quivered under his careful ministrations.
However, unlike the few times they had done this before, tonight Tomoe had convinced him to strip, too, so that they could bathe each other. He had protested at first. He wasn't very comfortable in just his skin and it was intimidating to think that she could see him so bare. But it was only bathing and given how she had flat out requested it of him, well, he couldn't exactly say no to her either, now could he?
So here there were, sitting on the raised edge of their wooden floor, water buckets and dry towels off to the side and nothing but soapy foam on their skin. It was more than a little bit silly and odd, but at the same time… it was quite nice to look after each other like this.
Tomoe had taken great pleasure in washing his hair, remarking out loud how nice it looked now that some effort had been put into its care. It was all thanks to her, of course – she still liked to brush it every now and then. He didn't mind it, not exactly, though his hair had gotten somewhat lengthy. It was to his lower back now.
Her hair was a bit longer still and much thicker, like a smooth dark waterfall. He had admired it greatly, when he had insisted on returning the favor and washed it for her.
However, despite how nice it was to care for her, he couldn't help but note how very tempting her bare skin was when wet. Her glistening, pert nipples were eye-catching in the light of the fire, so gingerly, he leaned down to pay some attention to them…
She allowed it, continuing to stroke his bare back and neck with a wet cloth. Every now and then, her breath would hitch, or she would let out a low moan. It was pure music to his ears.
"I love when you do that…ooh."
Kenshin paused, before suckling a bit more forcefully.
"Ahh, sometimes I think—" She arched into his touch, tightening her arm around his back and gasping breathlessly, "I, ah… I think about what it would be like to do that to you."
…What? Kenshin looked up at her between his lashes. There was a delightful flush on her cheeks, but her eyes were intent, even considering.
He raised an eyebrow, and still looking at her, suckled again.
She nearly pouted.
"I mean, you look like you enjoy doing that. Ahh!" She moaned low in her throat, struggling to continue, "But, I would like to give you something in return… uuh."
With a certain amount of disappointment, he let go of her nipple, straightening to look her in the eye. They were back to this? True, she had been insisting on his pleasure for a while now, but… He sighed, "I know you would like to, but it's just not worth it. It's so messy."
Kenshin had developed a deep loathing for the mess his pleasure would inevitably cause. The come was so thick and creamy and it had to be annoying to wash off. He truly, truly didn't want to bother her with it, not when she insisted on doing the laundry. If it was up to him, he would let this whole matter lie. He got all the satisfaction he could ever want just by watching her. His pleasure, the brief heat… it was wasted effort at best.
However, unlike the frustration he expected, there was a sparkle in her eyes, and she looked at him slowly, trailing her gaze down across his skin. "There is no clothing to get messy now."
Eyes widening in surprise, Kenshin glanced down at his lap and in that second, he realized the extent of her plan. So that's why she was so insistent on us bathing together… He swallowed numbly. Could he get out of this? Did he want to get out of this? Sure, there was the familiar ache in his loins, ready to stir into full blown arousal…
"So, can I?" Tomoe asked, tilting her head to the side in curiosity.
Kenshin let out a breath he had been holding and then, slowly – he nodded, trying his best not to tense as she leaned closer and trailed her fingers across his pectoral, tracing the outline of his nipple.
It was just a feather-light stroke. It tickled a bit, feeling entirely different from the comfortable strokes she had used when washing his chest. No, there was very different purpose to her motions now and somehow, that purpose made the most innocuous of touches exciting even when they shouldn't be.
Her eyes were large and held intense concentration as she felt out the form of his muscle, touching him, exploring.
He tried to relax, to allow her this whim. She had been so kind and accommodating to his enthusiasm for exploring her body, so how could he stop her from doing the same? But still, he wasn't sure about this. Not at all.
She took his nipple between her fingers and squeezed lightly.
Oh… Kenshin frowned, trying to sort through the sensations. It wasn't exactly bad, but it wasn't rousing the liquid fire in his veins either, not like this. In fact, the ache in his loins was lessening?
She looked at him, a question in her eyes.
"It isn't bad… just odd," he tried to explain.
She hummed in answer, leaning closer to his chest to take a lick.
"Ah!" Kenshin shied away from her mouth even as he tried to control the bubbling laugh tumbling from his lips. "Ticklish," he explained.
She shook her head, fondly patting the spot next to her in a wordless invitation. Without hesitation, he sat down next to her, his uncertainty fading by the moment. This was just curiosity and that he could oblige, no matter how odd it felt.
But then she took his nipple between her teeth and sucked.
Kenshin's eyes shot open and he gasped, "Haah!" That was, that was… it didn't hurt, not exactly, but the feeling – he had never felt anything like it before!
"Did I hurt you..?" she asked, the slightest of crinkles between her brows.
"No…" he admitted, gulping breaths. While he really wasn't too sure about this, there was nothing he could object to about this crazy whim of hers, either. Well, except for the fact that this couldn't be in anyway exciting for her. Somewhat mournfully, he watched her perky breast as he leaned back, propping himself up on his arms and allowing her better access.
She took his concession with some hesitation, leaning back down to explore.
It was a little bit cool, just sitting here, the wetness on his skin making him shiver. Or maybe it was her teeth. She kept nibbling his poor nipples, and every now and then she would suckle or suck on them. He was beginning to get used to the feeling. It really wasn't all that bad, not really…
"Uh…" He bit inside his cheek, trying to hold back the strange wordless sound rising from his lips.
Yet watching her mouth, her teeth, and her red lips to do their work, feeling her wet tongue on skin that was getting more sensitive by the moment… it was almost, nice? He could learn to like this sight, he decided. It wasn't all that manly, to just lean back and let her do what she wanted. But the fact was, he cared a lot more about her wants than his much abused self-esteem. And if she wanted to do this?
There was no question.
The room was getting somewhat hot. Sweat was forming on his skin and the ache was returning to his loins. Uh, yeah – he was definitely getting hard again. Did that mean he liked this? Or… no, it couldn't be this strange thing he liked, no way. It was the sight of her caring for him that he liked, and her red lips…
Oh, he would love to kiss her beautiful lips.
Pity she wouldn't let him.
It didn't take her long to notice his returning hardness. Almost idly, she started to stroke his length with firm motions, continuing to nibble on his pectorals and nipples.
Kenshin groaned, biting harder on his lip. He really, really didn't want to let out any embarrassing sounds, but, it was just – her hands felt so soft, and her slow strokes were… "Ahh.."
His pulse was picking up speed, like he was in the midst of an intensive sparring session, and the crawling need to move was stirring in his veins, seeping through to his bones.
She wrapped her fingers around his length, squeezing it gently, moving her hand up and down, and it took all his will power not to moan, not to beg her to do it again. He bit harder on the inside of his cheek, trying to stay silent, but her teasing was getting to him and the the liquid fire pooled downwards, pulsing through his whole body and it ached. He felt so full he could burst any moment now…
And then she bit him.
"Haaaah!" It was like a bright light flashed before his eyes, tense heat bursting through him, and he was over the edge.
Falling to lie on his back, he covered his face with his arm, struggling to gain his bearings. Inhale, exhale… just breathe, come on – just breathe, he thought to himself, doing his best to ignore the shame churning in his gut. It was easier said than done. Why was it always like this? Yes, for the briefest of moments it felt quite nice, but he had to work a lot more to bring her over the edge, and she enjoyed it so. Compared to that, all he seemed to need was a couple of teasing strokes and biting, of all things.
Shouldn't the biting be repulsive?
Yet, it hadn't been. The slight pain had been just enough to offset the overwhelming fullness, the terrible pressure the liquid fire brought, but at the same time, he couldn't possible like it. His left nipple, where she had bitten him was smarting a bit and idly he rubbed it. It didn't hurt, not exactly… but still, this couldn't be in anyway normal.
"Did I hurt you?" She leaned over him, concern in her eyes.
Kenshin let the arm covering his eyes fall back, trying his best not to let his embarrassment get to him. She knew how fast he came. They had been over his. She didn't think any less of him because of it. She just wanted to please him, like he wanted to please her. "No, it wasn't bad. I just don't understand the need, that's all."
She wet the washcloth in the bucket of lukewarm water, wrung it out and started to sweep away the brand new mess that had spread all over his abs.
Well, at least that's easy like this, Kenshin though judiciously. And to be fair, it felt quite nice as she washed his chest, his stomach, before trailing the wet cloth downwards.
"I'm almost jealous of how little body hair you have."
Kenshin glanced up at her. Where had that come from? Oh… "Mhhm," he agreed wordlessly, closing his eyes again. The wet cloth felt quite good on his softening length, too. There was a sense of tranquility spreading over him, from having gone over the edge and come. It was almost fatigue but not quite, rather a calm relaxation that went deeper than sleepiness.
Maybe that was why he didn't feel too touchy about her idle remark. Well, a bit, but he tried not to let his issues get to him. He knew that she accepted him, even as odd as he was. Also, she wasn't exactly wrong. As embarrassing as it was to admit, even she had more. Unlike most men, he didn't have even a hint of hair growing on his chest, or his cheeks. And the little he had elsewhere, well…
"It's not that I have less, per se. It's just pale in color." Kenshin defended weakly, looking aside.
Inhale and exhale…
It felt quite nice just to lie here.
She took a towel and began drying him. He didn't feel like sitting up and protesting. And if she wanted to, why not? It didn't take long for her to finish. Without another word, she picked up another towel and began drying her hair.
Her skin was already dry, he noted. It didn't feel too cold like this, not when the fire crackled beside them, emitting a gentle warmth. It was dark outside. Yet, it wasn't too late, not enough to retire to bed, at least. The days were just getting short this late in the year.
She was really beautiful sitting there next to him. Her breasts in particular…
"Could I now continue where I left off?" Kenshin turned to his side and motioned towards her chest with his hand.
The corner of her lips twitched in amusement. She was getting better at showing emotion, he noted with certain pride. It still wasn't easy or natural for her, and the expressions on her face were always slight and fleeting, but he could see her emotions more easily these days. Or perhaps he had just learned to read her better?
"For now," she allowed with a small nod.
Kenshin tilted his head in question. Just what is that supposed to mean?
"The floor is quite hard, though." She glanced to the corner of the room where her bed was folded carefully.
Kenshin sighed at the obvious hint and sat up. It wasn't that he didn't see her logic, but moving around in their house without even a thread of cloth covering him automatically roused the desire to dress in to yukata, to hide his body from wandering eyes. But then again, what was the point? She wasn't making any sign of dressing either and she had agreed to continue playing a while longer.
Together they spread open the futon and settled to lie on it. She looked at him just so, glancing down to her breasts, and that was all the invitation he needed. Eagerly, he leaned closer to cherish her breasts, to bestow teasing touches and caresses on her sensitive skin.
Sometime later, just when he was getting to the best part, his fingers slick from her juices as he suckled on her breast, all of a sudden she pressed her hand to his chest, requesting a break. He glanced up in surprise.
What is it now..?
She was panting quietly, her skin flushed with life – not even close to coming, but definitely feeling the heat. Huh, but why would she want to stop now? Surely I haven't done anything wrong…
She drew breath, and said, "I want to suck you."
…What? Kenshin gaped, too shocked for words. What? Why? And now?
"Yes, really." She said like it was nothing scandalous. She collected herself, sitting up slowly and giving a pointed look to his lap. "You are hard again, so I want to suck you."
Well, yeah… now that she mentioned it, yeah, he was aching with fullness again. But it hadn't been that long since last time. Why would she want to do it again? Hadn't once been enough? Kenshin pouted. It was his turn to pleasure her…
Still, when she pushed him to lie on his back, he didn't protest. It wasn't like he really could, given how many times she had indulged him in matters like these. Even when she moved downwards and settled herself next to his legs, he didn't voice his thoughts. Sitting up a bit, he propped himself up to lean on his arms. After all, last time, the best part had been watching her. So if she insisted on this, he would allow her curiosity, no matter how much he would prefer pleasuring her instead.
Seeing her lips so close to his stiff length, a rather terrible thought came to him. He shouldn't doubt her, but with his nipples, she had bitten and ugh… "Please, carefully," he pleaded, watching her consider the task at hand.
She glanced at him and let out a tiny huff – almost a scoff? She shook her head and took a gentle hold of his hardness.
And maybe it was wrong of him to doubt her, yet, he couldn't help but tense when she leaned down...
Why does she even want to do this? This can't possibly be pleasing to her!
Her red lips parted, and she breathed on his hardness.
It was like a shiver raced through his spine and all the tiny hairs on the back of his neck stood up. His eyes impossibly wide, he stared as she leaned forward and took him in her mouth and—
"Ahhh!"
It was so warm and so wet… and it felt so, so good.
Oh gods, this feeling, Kenshin gasped, staring at the ceiling blindly, trying to make sense of the world turned upside down. He felt all the things he had thought he would feel if he were to slip inside her cavern, but at the same time, even his wildest dreams couldn't match how good it really felt.
Oh gods, oh gods…
He tried to breathe, to get past the overwhelming feelings.
She wasn't even doing anything. She was just holding the tip of his hardness in her mouth. Why? Why would she…? She glanced up at him through her lashes, and then something inside her mouth stroked him, just so.
"Ughh." It was her tongue. It had to be.
Ever so slowly, she moved her head up and down gently, letting her lips and tongue caress every bit of his skin inside her mouth. It was maddening. The crawling need to move was there, just at the edge of his senses, but the heat wasn't overpowering like usual. No, it just… it felt incredibly good.
Struggling to keep breathing, Kenshin tried to find something for his hands to hold onto. He wanted, no needed to do something, but he didn't know what. And she kept glancing up at him every now and then, teasing the tip of his length. Just the tip. She moved up and down, up and down, torturing him with the sweetest touches he had ever felt.
Her hand was tight around the base of his length, and every so often she squeezed, just a little.
It was terrible.
It was wonderful.
It was utterly horrible and amazing and the best thing he had ever felt and no matter how he hard tried to keep silent, embarrassing noises kept bubbling out of his mouth.
"Aaaah… mnnnhh… Tomoe…. that's…"
He just couldn't keep still, stay silent like a proper man should. Not when the warm heat of her mouth surrounded his flesh and her tongue stroked him so gently…
And despite all that, the liquid fire wasn't there to plague him. The crawling need to move forced him to writhe, had him arching his back and clenching his fingers in the bedding, but he wasn't coming. He didn't know why. It didn't make any sense. By all reason and logic he should have come a dozen times by now, but he just hadn't. This right now, this was better than he had ever felt, but he wasn't coming. He should be, but he wasn't.
And Tomoe – his incredible, wonderful, perfect wife – she was so beautiful with that flush on her cheeks, her eyes half-lidded and looking at him like she knew exactly what she was doing to him as she held him in her mouth, her ruby lips so tantalizingly surrounding his length.
It was the most desirable thing he had ever seen.
And then she sucked.
"AAAHHH… To… mo… e." He moaned low in his throat.
This, this is… utterly impossible.
Fighting to keep his hips from bucking up, he stared at her, his eyes wide open. There was a sense of urgency, a desperate need to get more, just a little bit more – to end this gentle torture by bucking up. But he couldn't, forcing too much on her could hurt her, it just wasn't done. He could never do such a thing to her!
Desperately, he tried to stay still, but the crawling need was making it impossible, so he sat up. He wanted to curl his fingers in her thick hair, but he couldn't, so he just clenched them in the bedding tight enough to turn his knuckles white. The liquid fire was growing and pooling downwards, and he was aching, aching so badly…
And Tomoe, she kept moving and stroking, sucking and suckling. He couldn't stand it, he was getting so tense, so very close to the edge. He didn't want to come; he didn't want this to end. She was so beautiful right now, but he didn't know how could he stand this a moment longer.
And when that painful, throbbing pressure burst, it would be a mess… but it was so close.
So close!
"Tomoe," he panted, trying to find the words to warn her, "it's close! It's almost there." She needed to pull away, but he couldn't push her!
Her eyes were dark like the night sky, but serious, like she was daring him to…
And then, she dipped her head, taking him in her mouth all the way to the base and sucked hard.
The loose thread that had kept him hanging so precariously close to the edge snapped and he fell.
When he came to and opened his eyes again, she was looking at him with mild concern, stroking his hair gently. His pulse was racing like he had sprinted at his top speed all the way from Kyoto and he was breathing deeply… but he felt good. There was a deep lassitude settling in his limbs, like every need to move had abandoned him.
"Are you alright?" she asked gently.
He nodded… and opened his mouth, trying to find the right words, but in the end he couldn't manage anything more coherent than, "Thank you."
She didn't say anything, just looking at him with a tenderness that he couldn't name, stroking his hair.
It felt good.
He felt utterly spent, calm… but not tired.
However, there was one thing he was curious about. "Did you know that it would be different the second time?"
"I suspected," she admitted. "Sometimes it takes me longer to reach the edge the second and third time, no matter how clever you get."
It made sense, in a way. He had never thought about it before, how a realization he had about her could apply to him. Kenshin sighed. "I love you."
She smiled a true smile in return.
Betaed by Animaniacal-laughter in 15.04.2016.
