Chapter 15 - The Hunting Ceremony
K felt the chill of fall begin to drift in on the north wind as he studied the sky. He was looking for all the right signs to begin their hunt, which couldn't take place until all the proper factors were in order. There needed to be a full moon, deer were known to become more active and would come out into the open during that time. Rain, deer were skittish and the noise after a rainfall in the woods spooked the deer out of hiding. The wind, it had to be blowing through the forest so that the noise would scare them right into a hunter's path.
K had it all figured out.
He'd been tracking the deer, following their signs, rubs on the trees when bucks worked the velvet off their antlers and the scrapings left to attract does during the rut season. K knew for sure that one area close by was full of deer fattened by summer grazing.
Smiling at the sketchy clouds, he knew that precipitation was on its way. The moon would be full tonight and they would have their hunting ritual. He thought about Hiro as he wandered back to announce to his clan that tomorrow the men were going hunting. He thought about how Hiro would be accepted by his god, by his people tonight. It would be a special occasion and he was excited about it…maybe a bit nervous too.
Hiro had gotten word from a messenger of K's clan about the hunt. Apparently everything was in perfect condition for it and it was Hiro's job to announce it to his clansmen. The men cheered happily; eager to get out and push their limits, to be part of this game…it was a great time to show off too. Everyone took off in a buzz to prepare their weapons and pack necessities for tomorrow.
But that meant tonight was the hunting ceremony. Thrills of anticipation and apprehension coursed through his veins. He too went about gathering his stuff and afterwards spent the rest of the day meditating by the water with a fishing pole in hand, thinking and smoking his mullein like it was going out of style. What if they ostracised him because he different and worshiped different gods?
When the time came he dressed in hunting gear, layers of cloth, furs and boots. He knew that wearing layers would help him not to sweat and would keep him warm during the hunt. It was cold enough and more clothing was required now. He began to start out when his father called him over.
Wondering what he wanted Hiro faced his father anxiously.
"Aren't you looking forward to the hunt my son?" Hikaru asked. "Tomorrow I'll be watching that yellowhair…to see if he will deliver on his promise."
What were his father's issues with K all the time? Hiro sighed. "Of course I am father…I'm just…" he stammered, wondering if his father was going to forbid him from going to the ritual.
"Nervous?" the chief inquired.
Hiro flashed his grey eyes at his father.
But the older man smiled, "Son, look…all men once in their lives must face themselves. Your mother taught and teaches me that everyday." He laughed. "There is no shame in a man giving another his strength…sometimes we need each other."
Awestruck, Hiro gaped.
"Mind you, I still don't trust that yellowhair, but this hunt is very important. Food is becoming scarce and there are a lot of people looking for it around here. This winter is going to be harsh, I can feel it," said Hikaru with a sombre face.
"Father…I-I won't let you down," Hiro vowed sternly. With that he trod off, eyes glowering with determination.
Half way to the Winchester camp Shuichi's voice rang out for him. Hiro spun on his heel. He saw Yuki and Tatsuha as well, "What are you guys doing here?"
"Coming to the ritual of course, do you think I could miss this?" Tatsuha informed brightly, his robes held tight to ward of the chill.
Hiro scoffed and started to walk again, "It's not a game you know..."
Shuichi ran up to him and stopped Hiro in his tracks, "We know that Hiro, or I know that. We don't feel you should have to enter this alone. Our faith should be there as well, it's not only the Winchesters that are hunting tomorrow."
"I'm being forced along," Yuki offered, "But, I thought I might help you out" He gave the brunette a knowing look.
It was a side of Yuki that astounded Hiro everytime. He sighed and knew the man was right. Without Yuki he wouldn't have made it off that mountain alive. Now he knew Yuki felt the same.
Together they all started to walk towards the Winchester camp.
"You think K will let me have him?" Tatsuha asked the group.
"No way!" Shuichi claimed loudly, "I bet it's only his own clansmen."
"Do you think I'll be getting any at all?" continued the spiritual man.
Everyone groaned, "Shut up…"
K was no where to be seen when Hiro and gang arrived at the Winchester camp. Instead the man Hiro knew as Ark came walking towards them, "Greetings Hiroshi, you brought guests?"
"Yes," Hiro replied in Ark's language, "They won't be any trouble."
The man scoffed. "I'm sure they won't…Claude is waiting for you in the hunting lodge. But first, you guys can't come in until one of our women cleans you and gives you her blessing."
Tatsuha purred, "I like it already."
Rolling his eyes, Hiro let himself be led to a lodge that was recently constructed. It was marvellous he noted. Much larger than his clan's and roomy with a fire in the middle and a chimney above—at the fire many skins of water were being heated. Sniffing the air he could smell soap root, very nice. And in the corner watching this—as her fellow clanswomen stripped them out of their clothes—sat a pregnant Judy.
"Greetings Hiroshi, son of Nakano…the woman in front of you is my mother Ana. Who are your friends?" she asked, eyeing the three males behind him.
Bowing to her out of respect, Hiro introduced the men and eyed her mother carefully. It was like he'd waltzed into a den of lionesses.
"Ah, and you're all taking part in the hunt…wonderful," she claimed and placed her hand to her belly suddenly. "Would you like to feel it Hiro?" she asked.
He would like to, his eyes lit up with interest. Hiro spied the other women who all giggled at him.
"She won't bite," went one the ladies.
Hiro wasn't so sure about that. But the women didn't seem to mind and he padded over the grassy floor and knelt in front of K's mate. Tentatively he placed a palm on her abdomen and it took a moment until he felt the life within. "I feel it!" he gasped. It was as if the baby inside knew a hand was nearby and became suddenly active.
The women all giggled again.
"Hiro's such a softy," teased Tatsuha nearby and sighed happily as some foreign woman scrubbed him down.
Hearing Tatsuha, Hiro stood up quickly realizing his place. "Thank you," he told Judy for his indulgence. Babies were wonderful. But swiftly he returned by the fire again and let one of the women lather him up with soap root. Ooo it felt good! He glanced over at Yuki and Shuichi who didn't seem to be complaining either. Still, it somehow felt as if they'd entered another world…he closed his eyes to enjoy the bathing.
"Does it feel strange being here?" Judy asked as she watched on.
Hiro opened his eyes again. "A little," he admitted.
"It feels strange here for me too," she also said, "Did Claude ever tell you about how we found your land?"
Her 'here', and his 'here' were two different things but Hiro shook his head; K hadn't talked about his journey yet. Now that he understood Winchester language a lot better—it'd been five moon cycles since he met K—he could listen as Judy told her tale. Sadly, only Hiro understood her, because what he heard was unbelievable! His suspicions were right about the glacier. He was more than impressed and when she was done he told his friends what she said and they fell silent.
Life beyond in distant lands…the world was so much bigger than they imagined!
"Do you ever wonder where babies come from?" she asked Hiro suddenly.
Huh? How could she ask him such a silly question? Hiro tilted his head puzzled.
"I don't mean from the obvious place. I mean how are they created? Does your god give you babies?" she asked curiously, a strange glint in her eyes.
"Hiro, I never knew you were so friendly with K's mate," whispered Shuichi as this conversation suddenly seemed to get so personal. He could tell by the body language.
Hiro waved Shuichi off, he didn't know what to say exactly to her question, it was a subject he'd been wondering about too. Hiro was full of speculation about what exactly a man's role was in creating life now days. K had wondered about that himself since he had a pregnant mate to contend with, they'd briefly talked about that. Hiro decided to go with the safe answer, "Gaia and Kiyoshi bless our women with child, and they bless man and woman with child after they are seen under their eyes under the full moon in the spring."
"Hmm," she sounded. "That is what everyone believes, but I'm not so sure about that. I'm afraid Claude will find out soon too."
Her mother gawked at her, "Judy! Now mind your tongue!"
Judy only sighed and waved her off.
Hiro frowned, what did Judy mean by that? Was that a twinge of guilt he saw on her face? The woman sure was a mystery and Hiro wanted to get out of here already. But the women dipped some maple twigs—that had been threaded to resemble paint brushes—into some red dye. Figwort again Hiro noticed and let the women paint two lines on booth cheeks, a circle on both biceps and a long line right up his spine, Hiro shivered at the sensation.
"Ack! That tickles!" squealed Shuichi.
Their clothes stayed in the lodge with the women and they were sent outside, where Ark had come to get them, completely bare as well and painted on in a similar fashion. Hiro thought he was a very well built man and tall just like K.
"Brrrr, it's freezing now!" Tatsuha cried.
"Suck it up," Yuki muttered.
Ark looked back at them.
Their eyes had been on his rear end…they snapped their heads up.
Blinking he said, "Don't worry it's not cold inside this lodge, have you guys ever been in a sweathouse?"
Sweathouse? Hiro didn't recognize the word but as he entered another large lodge, bigger than the one they'd come from and felt the wave of heat blast his face. It was thick with moisture which he noticed was being created by someone adding water over very hot rocks, the steam hissed and popped. They all filed in and Ark secured the leather-curtain door way with grass stuffed into the cracks to prevent cold air from coming in.
All eyes scanned the room.
"Oh my…gawd…" Tatsuha breathed at the room full of naked men all kneeling on the floor on furs. Some of the men were meh, but some were oh yeah! Some were young and older, and many with blonde hair but some had dark brown like Ark. Mmm, foreign naked men, well, all except them of course. He chuckled almost nervously yet delightfully.
"Hiroshi," K announced from across the room, "…friends." He was knelt on furs at the end of the group, as if at the head of a large dinner table. K stood up from his place on the ground and bowed to them, "If you are here than Aurora has welcomed you. Clansmen, hunters, please know these people and respect them as your neighbour."
The group of about fifteen men murmured some greetings.
Hiro didn't pay attention to their words, he was too busy eyeing K who was decorated in a way he'd never seen a man. His body shimmered almost as if moistened with oil, displaying every line of his lean muscular body. His hair was weaved with some leather strands which had beads on the ends that gave him a bohemian look. At his wrists and ankles were bangles of leather woven with fresh vine and flower petals, and he had red paint markings on his face, arms and stomach. But Hiro's eyes surely landed on K's penis and he noticed an odd thing, a piece of sinew tightly tied around the base. He wondered what that was for.
Shuichi was nudging Hiro to sit down when he'd obviously not heard the request by the group. Flustered, Hiro sat down at the other end of the encirclement of males, all which faced a fire in the middle. When he glanced at the fire he also noticed surrounding it, were many little statues.
K sat back down and watched Hiro's inquiring eyes. "They are carvings of our god, Aurora; her name comes from the lights in the night sky. If you're lucky you can see her sometimes, and if you listen carefully you can hear her song," K explained to the new comers. "I see Shuichi, Yuki and Tatsuha came along…don't joke around here or I'll kick you out the door," K uttered menacingly.
The three men drew back and all the Winchester hunter's eyes landed on them.
But K laughed, "I'm only messing with you. I know Hiro wouldn't have let you come if he did not trust you. And our women would have sent you home in tears believe me."
The whole room chortled with mirth.
Hiro nodded with a satisfied smirk at K's words. Hehe, he'd never seen K being so obnoxious before…maybe it was all the male spirits in the room, he thought coyly. He relaxed a little, ok, this wasn't so bad, and it really was just like a party. Naked men, nothing he'd hadn't seen before.
Ark began to hand out wooden cups filled with liquid to everyone. "Let us pray and offer our gratitude, then drink my good men."
Once handed a cup, Hiro sniffed it to find out its contents. Whoa! It was strong and there was a hint of ikarisou in it…his groin twitched. It was an aphrodisiac. Boy, these guys were serious. Boldly, Hiro swigged it down and the entire room broke out in roaring amusement.
Sketchily, Hiro looked up, "What?" Had he done something?
"We haven't even offered our prayers yet," Ark said awkwardly and leaned in to whisper, "You drink after the prayer."
"Way to go Hiro…" Yuki tormented him further, obviously amused.
Hiro bit the inside of his cheek with embarrassment.
Shuichi was snickering but Tatsuha stayed quiet. He too had already drunk his but no one had noticed it yet.
"Give Hiroshi another cup," K insisted deviously, a wicked smile on his face.
The Winchester hunters all smirked.
Hiro couldn't help but blush as Ark poured him another cup. Avoiding their stares, he studied K. The room finally fell silent and he caught K gaze back at him, he felt himself relax a little and listened as K began to murmur some prayer.
"Our mother, high above the heavens,
We hear your song, the angels you give us,
Our female companions,
That makes our lives continue after death…
Tonight we offer our spirits and our souls to you,
We offer our bodies and our minds,
In hope for strength to continue to survive,
Our most scared mother,
Your children bow at your feet..."
The Winchester men had tears in their eyes and Hiro watched with them with fascination. He'd heard the most beautiful words coming from K's mouth. And he spoke them while watching him the entire time. Looking back at his friends Hiro wished they'd been able to understand it. To experience the depth of which these foreign people went, not so unlike their own clan.
Suddenly feeling fortunate to be here, Hiro turned back to see everyone drinking from their cups. He brought the cup to his lips and drank his slowly this time, his vision becoming already becoming a little weary, and his belly hot from the first drink. He smiled and recognized the affects of the fermented drink and the ikarisou.
"That sounded kind of like a song, even if I didn't understand a word," whispered Shuichi who was squeezed between Yuki and Hiro.
Smiling, Hiro nodded in agreement. He'd have to tell him what K had said later.
"This stuff is strong," Yuki said quietly.
Tatsuha leaned over, "I hope they give us more. I'm beginning to feel good."
Sweating now, Hiro swiped at his brow, the room still fogy as more water kept being added to the rocks. It reminded him of the hot spring except this steam was manmade. Abruptly there was movement and one man at a time walked up to K and bowed to him fully prostrate. After which the man returned to his place in the circle. When it got to them, they realized they were expected to do the same. Yuki grumbled but what choice did he have? He went and bowed and Shuichi giggled. What a moron. Hiro shook his head amused. It was interesting, even though he knew what was coming to K; everyone showed him nothing but the utmost respect. Hiro got up and the room spun, he almost fell into one of K's hunters, but a man with dark hair steadied him. Damn, he thought all this steam and this drink was overwhelming, he wasn't used to it. He felt clumsy and awkward, but he made his way to K's place and fell to his knees in a heap.
Hiro bowed to his lover.
K told him to rise but he grabbed Hiro's hand before he stood completely, "Stay over here with me."
The men in the lodge glanced at each other. None of them ever got to see their chief's bond in the open with his Nakano clan friend. They didn't even know that their chief was secretly having pleasures with the man.
Shuichi waved at Hiro from the other side.
Hiro numbly waved back.
Another round of the intoxicating drink got poured and the mood in the place began to change slowly. The affects of this drink was apparent, and Hiro, he was almost humming in buzzing delight.
When are the pleasures going to start, he wondered.
Tatsuha at the other end gaped at Hiro just then and burst out with laughter, and then he talked to the nearest Winchester hunter. And like a domino something got spread around the circle and back to him. The entire room of men burst out with hilarity…again.
K laid playful eyes on Hiro.
"Hiro, you just said that out loud!" Shuichi enlightened him.
Hiro was shocked for about two seconds until he chortled too, "Meh, can I have another drink?"
More laughter escaped the men.
"Cheers to the future Nakano chief!" everyone roared.
"Maybe next year you can head the hunting ceremony," someone offered.
"Perhaps he might…but first he'd have to become a Winchester," K said and wondered about that. Could one person be part of two beliefs, two families?
"Now, now gentlemen…we're here to offer our life spirit," Ark informed them and the room quieted to hushed whispers.
Knowing exactly how to get the 'pleasures' started, K stood on his knees and secured Hiro's head between his hands. The brunette looked surprised as K urged him up on his knees, hands gripping as if he was holding him up. Face to face K inquired, "Tell me what your life spirit is Hiroshi?"
The room hushed to listen.
"But you already know," Hiro said eyes directed into K's blue ones.
K's face soften, "I know, but you need to tell them. Just as they all need to tell us theirs, understand?"
Oh. "The mammoth," Hiro gave away in their tongue.
A low buzz came from that revelation. K smiled sweetly knowing that would surprise a few, even if they already knew about it. "Will you share your spirit with Her tonight?"
Hiro gulped at the deep sound of K's voice, "Yes."
For only Hiro to hear, K leaned close his lips brushing his ear, "For me?"
"Y-yes…"
Both still on their knees, bodies aligned, K holding Hiro's head, he leaned in to kiss him. He sealed their mouths, lips numb from drink, kissing Hiro in front of his entire hunting entourage. The kiss had a cause and effect, just as K had hoped, and the other men felt the excitement. Some already aroused, others kissed their neighbour too. And still K kissed Hiro, the only one in the room that could properly make his body ache. This would make him ready for what was yet to come.
Hiro wasn't ashamed to share pleasure in front of anyone, this was how he was raised, and so was everyone else. His body was turned on, his cock pressed up against K's leg and he opened his mouth to deepen the kiss. Hands explored, their tongues dancing visible to everyone.
"Wow," Tatsuha claimed, "This is amazing! Go Hiro!"
It was amazing and Yuki was glad he was here, the hotness around the room not going over his head. Whatever was in that drink had also caused his body to spring to life, and he felt impassioned! Although, he didn't plan on giving it to any of these men…uh no, nor would he let them touch him, but that's what Shuichi was for. He grinned at his little lover all sweet looking and nekkid…finally he was in place where he could fuck his spirit mate freely. So for the first time in front of his brother, in front of Hiro and K, Yuki leaned over to kiss his Shuichi. He would put that Winchester chief and Hiro to shame, he thought with a devious scoff.
But the kiss ended and Hiro stared into K's eyes, "I guess that time has come?"
K nodded and pet his hand over Hiro's hair. "I want you to join with me tonight Hiro…but last. I want you to save your spirit until the very end…can you do that?" K asked and produced a soft string of sinew. He began to tie the thing around Hiro's length at the base, just like the one he wore.
"I think I can last…what is that?" Hiro asked his length twitched as K messed with it.
"It makes you keep your erection longer and to test your will because it will drive you senseless for release. You'll feel so full and it will make you ache so much, that it will be hard fending off the urge to climax…join me in this journey of strength? Will you wait till the end?" He waited for Hiro to respond.
Hiro nodded.
K smiled and finished tying the thing on and got up, wandering into the middle of the circle. Then he demoted himself on his fours. He faced Hiro's direction, looking at him through the fire that separated them. He closed his eyes and waited.
The anticipation was almost too much for Hiro to bear. He glanced over and saw Yuki and Shuichi pawing each other, distant in their own world. He smiled, it was so great to see them openly showing affection. And Tatsuha was wide-eyed watching the festivities, letting some hunter stroke him, his hand netted into the other man's hair. Everyone was incensed with arousal…this was the supreme ritual of all rituals Hiro thought.
And he throbbed, the tightness of the string making him feel the horniest he'd ever felt in his life! Oh man...just as Hiro rest down on his haunches, Ark knelt behind K and scooped a fatty substance onto his fingers. Then he slipped his finger into K's entrance to lubricate him. Hiro bit his lip and watched K's face; he noticed his eyes were closed and he kept his face utterly expressionless.
From this vantage point Hiro could only see Ark position himself but he spoke first, "This is Claude's first hunting ceremony as our new chief and offering himself to you. Tonight through him we give our life essence to Her…because he is Aurora's chosen male." Before everyone he slid himself into K's ass.
Hiro lurched at the initial thrust, his breath shuddering past his lips. What a purely primal way to offer gifts to a god, Hiro thought astounded.
From across the lodge Hiro heard Tatsuha's strangled cry. Heh, the man had already given his life essence to the hand of the hunter that played with him. But Hiro's drunken eyes were glued to the action in the middle of the room, eyes watching K's peaceful face, his eyes still closed—almost as if he were sleeping on his fours, his bangs scattered across his brow. How could he be so calm? Ark with his hands placed on K's back, started gentle but soon gave into his pressing desire and plunged into his chief, making K's fingertips grip into the fur below him.
Hiro breathed past parted lips rapidly and felt his own erection twitch; he wrapped his fingers around it, fondling himself. He decided to lie down on his back, pulling his knees up to prop his legs, he balled up a fur into a pillow and rest his head to the side, watching his lover-chief get taken. He watched Ark's face crease with his orgasm and watched another man settle behind K, first stroking his blonde hair tenderly before he entered him too.
Hiro had to admit, this was hot, very hot. He wasn't sure how he was going to feel about watching like a voyeur almost, this sensual ritual. But K was so beautiful and he had to respect his beliefs.
He stroked himself softly the moisture in the room making his body shine like the rest of them. As he lay there, he'd watched about four men have their turn on K and still the man kept a straight face. One after the other, Hiro began to whine with the pulsing ache of his cock, that string was indeed driving him crazy! Argh! He almost ripped it off so that he could relieve the tension.
But he had to try and be strong and hold it off. He knew that K hadn't come yet either; Hiro stitched his brows as if in pain. All these pleasure sounds, the groans of each man that spilled his seed inside of his lover…it made Hiro cry out as in torture.
How did K hold it off?!
One of the other Winchester males came over to Hiro, he was young and lean. His hair was blonde and short with the sweetest curls. His manhood stood out in front of him prominently and he knelt next to Hiro. The boy smoothed a hand softly over Hiro's damp face. "A mammoth spirit huh? Can you please let me give you my life spirit? Not everyone here can take Claude, even She understands that. It'd be too painful…I-I don't want to hurt him." the guy said honestly.
Blue eyes watched him and Hiro reached out and brushed his hand along the man's hip. The young male smiled and sighed. Hiro wet his lips from all the panting. "You're really beautiful," he told him, looking up from where his head rest—all inhibitions gone.
From across the fire K finally let out a whimper.
Hiro cast a worried look in his direction; he suddenly felt tears prickling his eyes. "K wants me to take him last," Hiro suddenly told the man who was now touching his hair.
"It's ok, Claude's tough they won't hurt him too much…he's got such so much control. I could never hold off an orgasm that long. I wish I could be Aurora's chosen male…what an honour," the young man said to Hiro seriously. "You know a lot of the men here think you're some kind of guide to our chief…you know because of your spirit."
"But I'm not…"
The boy climbed over Hiro, spreading his legs apart with his knees, arms resting on either side. "How can you be so sure? You cry over our chief's pain…do you feel it?"
Hiro blinked with heavy lids at the man that was preparing to penetrate him. But as he looked back over at K who was watching him now back, his eyes creased in torment. Did he feel his pain? Watching K, tears sprung to Hiro's eyes again.
Still, he found himself so sexually aroused…
"You don't have to say anything…I can already tell," the young blonde said and pressed himself into Hiro slowly.
Hiro grit his teeth and arched his head back into the fur pillow, the insertion reminding him of how badly he still needed release. Experienced in his sexual prowess, Hiro had a lot more control then he knew holding back his orgasm. He just didn't focus on it, even as the man he'd given himself to started humping into him.
Gripping onto the hunter's arms, Hiro braced his legs on the man's shoulders, giving the blonde better access. The foreign man took him hard, his long length drilling into him with full strokes. It made Hiro whimper loudly with every thrust. Hiro forced his mind away from the orgasm again as he watched K.
They watched each other.
K smiled at him with teeth clenched, but his shoulders sagged to the floor, leaving his backside in the air…too tired to hold himself up anymore.
"K!" Hiro cried out even as his own body was being strummed hard and fast. "Ahhh! Unnn…K let it end!" he moaned now in his own tongue so only K would understand.
"I can't," K grunted and looked over though the fire, "…not yet. You still have to…I want you too finish it Hiroshi!"
Hearing the shuddering cry of his current partner, Hiro could only keep his eyes on K's. He noticed K's blue eyes were glossy with tears now, clawing the blankets under him fiercely. Hiro listened to his subservient mewls. Compelled to tend to him, Hiro scrambled out from under the spent curly haired male that'd given him his life spirit. He hurried to K's side and knelt next to his face and began to pet K's hair from his damp forehead. "Please be strong wolf spirit, please!" He didn't know what was taking him over.
Chuckling lightly K looked up at Hiro, his eyes also dilated from the drink. "My sweet mammoth spirit…you worry for nothing. I expected this. Please don't cry," K panted out over a strangled voice. "Take me next…I can tell that everyone but you has given their spirit."
"You haven't either!" Hiro cried and asked, "Are you sure about this?"
"Oh god yes," K sighed. "…do it to me."
Watching the last man slip his seed-wet cock out of K's ass, Hiro stood up and all eyes landed on him. He breathed heavily with the thickness in the air, flashing his eyes at Yuki and Shuichi as both whimpered with their shared release. It made Hiro's body ache for what they just had. Yuki pulled out of Shuichi who was over top of his best friend, they kissed and held each other. It was so sweet and so loving, Hiro was reminded of why they were here—to show love to a god, to each other and to test their bodies for strength as well as giving their essence.
He couldn't fail K, shame him in front of everyone with childish tears. So he went behind the blonde, placed hands on the man's hips and blindly thrust himself into the wettest, slippery hole he'd ever entered. It was like his cock had been dipped into a bowl of warm honey…it was nirvana. No, he would not shame K in a ritual that was so important to him and began to rock into his lover. It wasn't the first time he'd taken K in all the secret meetings they shared, but it was the first time in front of a bunch of men.
He let himself go.
THRUST!
Ignoring K's cries, he banged.
THRUST! THRUST!
K collapsed to the floor…Hiro went with him, propped over his back, his organ not coming out of that ass until he blew his mind.
THRUST!
"Ahhh.!!" K cried in pain and lust. "Don't you dare stop Hiro!"
No way! He wasn't stopping; his orgasm was coming now…it would come for K. He made it last till now and Hiro demanded, "Come K, come for your god! Do it!" The sticky mess squished with every stroke, feeding Hiro's frenzied mind as he felt the rush coming. He wanted K to end this with him.
Shuddering beneath him K gave way to the most wrenching orgasm Hiro had ever witnessed of his lover; his guttural cry cut the air like a knife. Hiro reached the height of his pleasure too, the world going black with climax. The almost painful ache in his body brought tears to his eyes at the abyss he felt himself drowning in. So much of his life spirit pumped out of him that he thought he'd shrivel and die. He buckled on top of K, both panting with exertion, sighs of ecstasy pouring from their throats.
"Thank you Hiro…thank you…" K breathed out, his eyes closed, his body limp.
Hiro lifted his hips to remove himself gently, slipping off the string as well, finally coming down from his high. He couldn't believe what he'd just done. But he still lay there holding onto K, oblivious to the others around him…he just didn't care.
"Aurora must have surely answered our call; tomorrow will be a great hunt!" Ark bellowed even as he and his men still stared at Hiro and K. But they felt accomplished that their actions would bring them the strength the so desperately wanted.
The soberness of the men slowly returned and one helped Hiro off K. The brunette held their arm and climbed off. But he sat next to K, who was still sprawled on the floor. Someone handed him a cup and he waved it away.
"Its water Hiro," Ark said to him softly.
Oh, Hiro took the cup and drank and watched as Ark tended to K, asking if he was alright and giving him water too, and removing the string from his now flaccid penis. Silently all the males in the room went to retrieve something from one corner of the lodge. And one by one, each placed a gift, a gesture of their respect next to K on an empty fur close by. Still catching his breath Hiro noticed these were gifts crafted with the spirit of every man here. There was beautiful clothing, leathers bleached almost white and soft as a flower petal, tools that were created with divine skill, darts for his blowgun that were made with feather tails and designed with paint, a spear that's handle was carved intricately and tipped with a sparking new flint, a statue of a simple female engraved with obvious care…and the list went on.
Hiro was touched and speechless; K's people really loved him.
Shuichi got his attention and said that they'd be going back to their camp and asked if he was coming. Hiro told them he wasn't. He couldn't leave now; he'd tend to K too. The man needed him and he wasn't leaving. Everyone began to depart, going off to find their mates and sleep now for tomorrow's hunt. Ark still stayed and Hiro got up, only to notice that someone had returned his belongings. How handy because he'd brought a bunch of medicines knowing K would need his assistance tonight. Hiro never stopped to think that K's own mate was a bit of a healer herself. He'd taken the task upon himself and went to boil water and make a soothing solution of kihada (which came from the inner bark of deciduous tree) and kumazasa, which was the leaf of a flower that is said to only bloom once its life time and die. Both were disinfectants and anti-inflammatory agents.
"Hiro it's alright you can go now…I'll stay with Claude," said Ark.
"No…" K croaked, "I want him to stay."
Ark shrugged. He eyed Hiro oddly for a moment before going about cleaning up.
Noticing the air was cooler now—his brain still a little foggy from that drink he'd had—he shivered. Looking over Hiro noticed the steam was all gone and the rocks simply cooled down, drying up the air. There didn't seem to be any words to say now, the peak of the night now filled with quiet. Only the popping of the fire still burning made its peaceful noises.
Hiro didn't take long to make the infusion, along side which he prepared a few cups of soyo tea. He wouldn't mention, but he'd added some onioyagara, an ugly brown tuber that grew in the ground like a potato. For K though it would act as a sedative. Then Hiro found his sea-sponge and went back to K, who still hadn't gotten up. He was simply laying there on his stomach, head resting on his arms, watching him go about doing his task. Ark was just finishing removing the leather bangles from K's wrists when Hiro knelt next to K's hip.
Ark just finished with the last piece of leather when K said, "Ark…please leave me alone now."
But K never said anything about Hiro leaving him alone and the dark haired man frowned. Obviously thwarted by his long time friend, he'd been replaced tonight by the foreign man from the Nakano clan. "As you wish Claude," he muttered and swiftly left them alone.
Without words Hiro used a big clay pot to dip his sponge into and began to rinse the sorest part of K's body. The man hissed at first as the disinfectant cleansed but soon the affects of the kihada took affect, and he relaxed.
"I'm so fortunate to have fallen in love with a healer," K murmured staring at the fire, until a cup of tea was placed in front of him. Smiling he raised himself on his elbows and picked up the cup to drink.
Hiro smiled and continued to wash K up, scrubbing the red paint off of him gently. "You're the strongest man that I know…you know that." Hiro said with admiration.
"Pfft, I break or don't you remember?" K tossed back quietly.
"Perhaps, but I could never have done what you did tonight…"
Clenching the cup with his hands K asked, "Was in painful to watch Hiro?"
The sponge hovered to a stop at K's back left thigh, "At times…it was. I've never seen a ritual quite like this before. Does it really work?"
"Oh, of course it does…I understand, our beliefs are not the same. It's alright to question," K said, "I love to hear your questions…I like how you're so open to share them with me too." Then K sighed. "Tonight though, it should have been my father…" K swallowed hard, "But he never made it over the ice."
Watching K drain his tea, Hiro went to pour him another. He picked up his sponge and drizzled the contents over the dip on K's back. "I know K… Judy told me the story of your journey today. It's an incredible story…you are incredible people," he paused, "I almost wish I could go on a journey like that."
K looked back then, "It was a scary journey though…but I dunno. If I got to travel with you…it could be the best journey in the world."
Hiro stared at the man then, his words meant everything to him. He knew right then there that that was what he longed for, to travel and explore with K by his side. But, it was impossible to dream of such things. He said nothing in return.
K sighed and resumed staring into the fire. "Sometimes, I don't know what I'd do without you…" His voice was soft and wispy with the urge to sleep heavy on his voice.
A breath later K was fast to sleep.
Leaning over and planting a kiss to K shoulder, "I love you…my, spirit mate," Hiro whispered adoringly. "One day…I'll even explain that to you." As K got much needed rest, Hiro covered him up after a gentle washing and began to take out the woven leather strands from his hair.
She'd waited until all the men had finally left the hunting lodge, knowing that her mate would need her assistance. It was a way of life that she knew to accept, and Claude's role in the hunting ceremony didn't bother her at all. She only hoped that it went well and the men would bring back plenty from their hunt. Expecting to find her mate alone now, after she'd seen Ark exit the lodge, she walked over to it.
Judy placed her hand to lift aside the leather flap when she heard voices. It was her mate and that Nakano healer. She'd come just in time to hear…"I'm sure fortunate to have fallen in love with a healer."
Blinking, she moved the curtain aside just enough to see Hiro so lovingly tending to Claude. She listened to them speaking, still surprised at how well the Nakano man spoke their language after all this time. And Claude, talking of love to the man, of journey's together…she could hear his soul in his voice as he expressed himself to Hiroshi. And the healer in turn called him his spirit mate.
She dropped the flap and backed off.
She knew at that moment, she'd lost K…probably forever. Judy knew he would never leave her, but she knew he wouldn't love her the way he loved that healer. Maybe she deserved it after breaking his trust, and she would only break it more. She rubbed her hand over her pregnant belly…he would know, no doubt about it.
There was no need to fight; she didn't have the heart to torment them after what she'd done. She turned to leave, finding herself seeking out the one man that really loved her. She headed for Ark's hut.
A/N: Very norty XD I hope you all enjoyed it! Next Chapter Judy has the baby :P Thanks so much for the review DancingCoconut and the2evils...you guys rawk! I'd write more to you but I'm dying of a hangover :P Thanks again!