Author's Note: We have reached the end of the game chapters (basic story)! And y'all know what that means...(winks). This is the reason why this story has an M rating (and, tbh probably should be MA *coughs*), so you have been warned!
(A few days later…)
I knocked gently on the door of Hanzo's room.
"Master Hanzo," I called. "It's me, Reika. The doctor sent me to change your bandages."
"Come in," I heard him say. I slid open the door and made my way over to where he sat on his futon. I set the tray I held down on the tatami beside him. He seemed well, and I gave him a nervous smile.
"Please excuse me," I said, and I tried not to let my fingers shake as I reached to open the front of his yukata. When I pushed away the fabric, I was flabbergasted to see that the wound on his chest was almost fully healed.
"What? You're—" I began, but he suddenly grabbed my wrist. I gasped, and before I could say anything, he'd pulled me until I was sitting on his lap. My face flamed as I sputtered, trying to free myself, but he kept a firm grip on me.
"I—you—Master Hanzo!" He pulled me up to his chest and I stared up at him to see him smiling down at me.
"I don't need a change of bandages," he whispered.
"Wha—?" as I tried to pull myself away, he grasped the back of my neck firmly and lowered his head to press his lips to mine. The protest died from throat as I shook at the feeling of his mouth gently caressing mine. My heart thundered in my chest, and he pulled away slowly. I gaped at him, speechless, and his eyes danced with amusement.
"I've been wanting to do that for the longest time," he said finally. I found my voice then.
"The longest time? What—why?" I asked incredulously. He chuckled.
"Goemon was right, you won't understand unless I tell you straight out," he said quietly to himself. He looked into my confused eyes and then spoke clearly.
"I love you." My mouth popped open in surprise. To my horror, I felt tears prick my eyes as my heart filled with emotion. I looked away, my hand to my mouth as I tried to gather my jumbled thoughts. This was all so sudden!
"It was cruel of me not to hear you out that day when I came back from Lord Ieyasu's mansion, but I thought that I'd lose all sense of restraint if I heard you tell me how you felt," he explained softly. "I was weak. I thought that I had to focus on my duties as a leader." His smile faded, and he looked down, ashamed.
"Since when…?" I whispered, meeting his eyes again. Hanzo put a gentle hand to my cheek, and his thumb slowly traced my lips. I trembled.
"At first I was protecting you because you were the Princess, and it was my duty to keep you safe. But being with you…I realized that you aren't just an ordinary girl. You are bright, considerate, intelligent, hardworking… You bore the burden of suddenly becoming a ninja princess remarkably well. And more than any of that, you were so easy to be around. You make me smile and laugh in ways that I'd never felt allowed to." His arm tightened around my waist.
"You didn't feel allowed to smile or laugh?" I asked.
"I was raised very strictly by my father, the elder of Iga. He ingrained in me from a young age that as the leader, I had to practice self-restraint and control at all times. As the future leader of the Iga ninja, I had to serve as an example for others," he said. "I'm grateful to my father, of course. But being with you…I felt like I could relax, and be more myself." He smiled down at me, and I saw the sincerity in his eyes.
"But I pushed you away," he went on. "I wasn't used to feeling like I couldn't control my emotions. I also didn't want to put you in any more danger. I thought that returning you to Kashinji so you could go back to living in the safety of the temple would be best… And yet, selfishly, I found myself hating the thought of sending you away. I wanted you for myself."
"You aren't going to make me return to Kashinji?" I asked, not believing what I was hearing. He wrapped his other arm around me to pull me even closer.
"Only if you don't want to," he said softly. The depth of love I saw in his eyes almost frightened me. Again, I felt my throat tighten with tears. I gripped the material of his yukata where my hands rested on his chest.
"I thought…I thought that you would send me away for sure," I whispered. "I had prepared myself for it…" He pulled my chin up and wiped away a stray tear from my cheek.
"Do you love me?" he asked gently. I felt like my heart would burst.
"Yes, yes," I said brokenly, feeling overwhelmed. "I love you… so much." I wrapped my arms around his neck and he held me close, stroking my back.
"I'm sorry for pushing you away," he murmured. "It was immature and dishonest. I'm so sorry." I pulled back, wiping away the rest of my tears.
"I thought we agreed that you'd stop apologizing to me," I said with a watery laugh. He laughed with me, and this time I leaned in to kiss his smiling lips. He made a little sound in the back of his throat and responded, his mouth moving with mine. It started out innocently, but I felt heat bloom deep in my stomach as he suddenly deepened the kiss. His hands slid slowly down my sides, and I shivered. Just when my lungs began to protest for air, his lips left mine to trail kisses down to my jaw and the side of my neck. One of his hands started inching up my ribs, and I automatically arched my back a little into his touch.
"Ngh…" I clapped a hand over my mouth, blushing furiously at my unintentional moan. He grinned at me, and I remembered myself.
"Wait, Master Hanzo…" I said, pushing him away gently as he leaned in again. He stopped immediately.
"What is it?" His voice was a little rough with something that made my insides curl with…anticipation? But I made myself focus.
"I… we shouldn't…" For a moment, he seemed at a loss, and then he laughed softly.
"I'm getting ahead of myself, aren't I?" He tweaked my nose. Was Hanzo always this playful? I wondered. "This is what I meant when I said I couldn't restrain myself with you," he said. His face turned serious again, and he held my gaze earnestly and took a deep breath.
"You make every day brighter. I love you just as you are, and I want to spend the rest of my life sharing this happiness with you." He hesitated, and then… "Will you become my wife?"
For a second, I couldn't speak. And then, thoughtlessly, the first thing that popped out of my mouth was,
"But what about Kuma-san?" As I registered his shock, I covered my mouth for the second time in horror. What in the world?! I thought frantically as I realized what I'd just said. Stupid, stupid! He just PROPOSED and I'm asking about someone else? Hanzo's body shook, and I jerked my head up, afraid of his reaction. Oh no, what must he think of me?
But Hanzo was laughing. He covered his eyes as laughter racked his body. I'd never seen him laugh so hard, but I felt embarrassment heat my cheeks. Ridiculously, tears filled my eyes.
"I'm so sorry!" I cried, but he stopped me. He regained control and gazed at me, his face still full of mirth.
"Oh, I love you," he said, and he held my face with both hands firmly before giving me a quick kiss. He drew back. "What gave you that idea?" he asked. "I told you that Kuma-san is like a little sister to me. And, in fact, she's engaged to Master Yagyu." My eyebrows raised, and then I looked away, finally understanding. Now that I thought about it, hadn't Goemon mentioned something hinting at this…?
"…Oh." I felt even more embarrassed than before. "I must have made that up out of some childish jealousy. I'm so sorry…" He took my chin and made me face him again.
"You don't have anything to be jealous of Kuma-san for," he said firmly. "I love you just as you are. …But more importantly, you haven't given me a reply." He looked a little vulnerable, and I immediately threw my arms around his neck again and hugged him tightly.
"Of course I'll become your wife!" I turned my head to the side to kiss his neck. "I love you, Master Hanzo," I whispered.
"Thank goodness," I heard him say into my shoulder. I pulled back a little to look at his face. His look of relief transformed into something more passionate as we locked eyes.
"I wish you'd drop the 'Master' and just call me by name," he said huskily. I blushed and gave it a try.
"Hanzo…sama?" He smiled, and we stared at each other for another breathless moment.
"Much better," he whispered, and then his lips captured mine hungrily. I made a little helpless sound as his tongue traced my lips. He coaxed them open and caressed my tongue with his. I felt my head spin, and his strong arm supported me as he bent me backward, still kissing me. His chest met mine as he pressed me down towards the futon. These kisses made me hungry for more... Hanzo pulled away, his breath ragged as he stared down at me, his eyes burning.
"Can I treat you not as the Princess, but as my wife?" he asked.
"Yes," I breathed. I reached up and pulled him down to me, and his mouth met mine again. I felt his hands travel down my sides until they reached the belt of my kimono, and he loosened the sash easily. He reached under me to bring my back up slightly to pull the it free. I felt heat race through my veins as he reached up to trace a light path from my ear to my collarbone. His fingers paused slightly at the vee made by the two edges of my kimono before he pushed it aside. I shivered as his hand slowly opened the side of my kimono down my arm and along the sensitive skin of my ribs. His lips followed the path of his hands down to my collarbone, and he pulled away the other side of my kimono. My body shrank back reflexively, and I covered my face with my hands.
"I'm embarrassed…" I whispered, my face hot. I pulled my elbows in to try to cover my breasts. Hanzo gently pulled my hands away and kissed my cheek.
"You're beautiful," he reassured me. I hesitantly let him move my arms out of the way, and I screwed my eyes shut as I was bared to his sight. He kissed my wrist and then put his lips to my ear.
"Just relax, and trust me." I let out a breath and opened my eyes to see his smiling face. He kissed me softly, his mouth lingering until I put my arms back around his neck. His right hand slid slowly up to my breast, and I gasped as he caressed it with his warm palm. I felt my hardened nipple drag against his touch, and whimpered as his fingers closed around the tight nub, rolling it gently.
"Ah…hn." I moaned softly, and then I looked up at him shyly. I pulled lightly at the collar of his yukata in a silent plea. He smiled and untied his own sash, pulling the material away to reveal his muscular chest, marred by the slash mark. His skin had many scars from previous battles. I smoothed my hands over his broad shoulders and touched his bare skin for the first time, gently tracing the edges of the new scar. He groaned quietly, and my stomach clenched with desire at that small sound. He kissed me again, more urgently this time, and I felt his knee push between my legs to press against…
"Ah!" My body twitched in response, and Hanzo chuckled.
"Easy," he whispered, and I shivered at his tone. He teasingly nibbled at the skin where my neck met my shoulder. I arched my back as he moved his thigh, rubbing against my sensitive spot. He pulled away the rest of my kimono as he kissed down to my breasts. I cried out as he took one of my nipples into his mouth, his tongue flickering over it. Electricity tingled through me, and it seemed to zing down to where my legs met.
"Please…" I found myself begging. I felt his lips curve in a smile, and his hand slid down my waist, over my hips, and then caressed my thigh before travelling back up to replace his knee. He smothered my cry with his lips as his fingers slid into my wetness, sliding over the folds of my center. My hips pressed upwards into his hand as his fingers traced circles around the sensitive bundle of nerves. My thighs shook, and I tossed my head to the side, breaking the kiss, to mewl as he pushed a finger into me, exploring my depths. He slid it in and out of me as his thumb teased my clit. I couldn't control the sounds coming out of my mouth as a heavy pressure built deep within me and began radiating outward.
"Ah, Hanzo-sama!" I clung onto his neck. His fingers kept their rhythm, and I felt my hips moving against his palm. He leaned down to whisper in my ear.
"Reika…it's all right. let go." The sound of my name on his lips seemed to push me over an invisible cliff, and I cried out as I felt a dizzying explosion. My hips dropped back onto the futon and my entire body shook with little contractions. Hanzo showered me with little kisses on my shoulders, my eyelids, and my jaw as I panted. I pulled him close.
"Give me…a moment," I said, breathlessly. He stroked my hair softly until my breathing slowed, his other hand tracing patterns on my side. I slid my hands up from his shoulders to his face, and he turned his head to kiss my palm. I looked into his dark eyes, my fingers trailing through his silky black hair.
"I can't believe I can be together with you like this," I said. He smiled and then brought his lips down to meet mine. I opened my mouth to his, and he kissed me leisurely, as if drawing something out of me. I felt the now familiar hunger build again in my stomach and I squirmed against him. His hand slid down to my hips and traveled down my thigh, and my breath hitched when his fingers curled around to hike my leg up over his hips. He teased my nipple with his other hand, and then brought his head down to kiss it. I pushed my chest up a little to press it harder into his mouth, and he gave the taut bead of flesh a light nip with his teeth. My fingers knotted into his hair as I moaned. I shifted restlessly against him, and my slick sex brushed against something hard and hot. Hanzo's body trembled, and I felt my cheeks color as I glanced briefly down to where our hips met. He rose up and distracted me with another kiss, his lips urgent. Desire flared in me with this new awareness of his body, and I tentatively pressed my hips up to meet that hard flesh again. Hanzo groaned deep in his throat, breaking our kiss, and I felt a little rush of exhilaration to know that I affected him this way. I brought my other leg up to wrap around his waist and pressed him closer. I moaned as that movement forced his hot flesh to slide against me.
Hanzo pressed me down harder into the futon, his breaths heavy against my neck. I felt his muscles bunch and he began to grind his length into me. He slid firmly against my clit and I gave a strangled cry.
"Please, Hanzo-sama," I pleaded. His eyes were dark with need, and I felt him shift down. When he pressed forward again, it was at my entrance.
"Relax," he breathed. I tried to do as he said. He pushed into me slowly, and I gripped his upper arms tightly despite myself as he filled me gradually. I felt him pause, and looked up at him questioningly.
"This might hurt a bit," he warned me. I swallowed and nodded. I'd heard enough stories from the ninja women to know that sometimes, the first time was painful. His features tightened a bit, and his hips moved foward to push himself all the way in. I gasped slightly as I felt a small, sharp pain inside. Hanzo held me close, not moving as I adjusted. The pain wasn't nearly as bad as I'd heard it to be. It faded slowly until I just felt the fullness of him inside me. I pressed my lips his shoulder and met his concerned eyes.
"Are you all right?" he asked me softly.
"I'm fine." I gave him a quick kiss. "Please love me." He found my lips again and I felt him ease back slightly and then return, slowly. I clenched my muscles around him and he jerked forward slightly, reaching a little deeper.
"Reika…" Hanzo breathed against my mouth. He gently rocked in and out of me, and I panted as his movements became larger; he pulled out more only to thrust in firmly each time. The slow friction of his movements in me felt so good... I bucked my hips up slightly, and he stilled, his jaw clenched.
"No…!" I protested. "Please…" I felt my cheeks redden. "Please, Hanzo-sama…more…" He gave a low, unrestrained sound, and pulled back. He lifted my chin, and I looked into his passionate eyes.
"I love you so much," he whispered. And he then he thrust forward, hard. I cried out, and he started rocking into me faster, a hand moving to my waist to hold me still. I tossed my head to the side as his pace increased. He leaned back slightly, his hips still moving, and he hit a spot that made me arch up with a high pitched moan. My nails dug in a little at his arm, and I let go immediately.
"I'm sorry!" I exclaimed. "I didn't mean...uh..!" He thrust back in and ground in me deeply. He leaned back down and pressed his forehead to mine.
"I love it," he whispered huskily. He braced himself on his elbows above me and rolled his hips over and over again. "I want to make you only mine…Your body, your heart…everything."
"I—ah...I'm yours," I breathed, holding him close. He kissed me again, and his movements became rougher. My legs tightened around him as I felt the delicious tension coil up within me. He felt incredibly rigid in me with each hot thrust, and I bucked my hips in time with his. He reached down and then his thumb slid firmly over my clit. The tension burst, and I bit back a small scream of ecstasy as I came apart beneath him. Hanzo jerked twice, hard, and then stilled above me. I felt my center pulse around him as he lowered himself down onto me to press me back into the futon. He pressed his face into the curve of my neck, and we both fought to catch our breath. I let my eyes slide closed as a warm wave of euphoric exhaustion filled my limbs.
"Reika…"
"Mmm…?" I opened my eyes to see him looking down at me tenderly. He gave me a gentle kiss on the forehead.
"Thank you for saying yes," he said, and I nodded, smiling sleepily. He chuckled and then rolled to his side, holding me close. I snuggled up to him and he pulled the covers over us, tucking my head under his chin. Feeling safe and loved in his arms, I drifted off.
Author's Note: Kyaa! That was my first lemon!
Some of you may have noticed that I took out the details of the Yagyu-Kuma storyline...I just wasn't really into that (Hanzo belongs to REIKA!), so I figured I'd just deal with it this way.
Our story isn't over yet, though!
In the next chapter: Reika gets a little drunk, and what does Hanzo do?