True to prediction, I woke to my alarm the next morning, woke alone. However, to my embarrassment, I noted that everything Kouga and I did was obvious! My clothes were all torn the way he'd torn them, my sash still hanging over the canopy where he'd tied me up. My form had some serious bruises from his hands and his hips. I was sore below the waist and my throat was also raw. I chuckled, only to wince. Even doing that much hurt. Imagining his reaction in my mind, I blushed. I knew he'd grin in pride and tell me it was a good look on me.

Shaking my head, I made my way painfully to the bathroom, grabbing my communicator on the way. As I brushed my hair, I dialed it. It was soon picked up by Gin.

"What did you need?" he asked. In response, I held it up to a few of my bruises and then pulled it back and pointed to my throat. He laughed and grinned, a light blush on his cheeks. "I'll be there in a few."

I smiled in thanks and hung up. Just as I had pulled on a bra and underwear, I heard him enter the house. I sensed him flash up to my room, up to me. Sure enough, seconds later, he came through the door, only to stop dead with a dark blush, seeing my state of dress. I wanted to giggle so bad, but knew it would hurt, so I pulled his hand to my throat, telling him to heal it first. Still embarrassed, he did, keeping his eyes shut. Once the soreness went away, I chuckled at him and slid his hand down to my nearest bruise, letting him heal it next. One mark after another, I guided his hand so he wouldn't have to look at me. His face never lost its blush, knowing he was being permitted to touch me quite intimately.

"You're so cute when you're embarrassed," I told him, making him blush scarlet. I pulled away once I was healed and finished getting dressed. "Thanks, Gin."

"Why didn't you have Shinji heal you?" he asked, finally deciding it was safe to open his eyes, only to blush darkly again as he watched me pick up the scraps that remained of my clothing.

"Because I wasn't with Shinji last night," I reminded him. His eyes widened in shock and surprise. "I told you I was allowed to visit Kouga. I did not lie."

"Sorry," he said. "I thought that was all crazy-talk."

I chuckled.

"I'm sure it sounded like it," I agreed. "Sounded like a mourning woman that wouldn't move on, yes?"

He nodded and then followed me down to the kitchen for breakfast. The servants had made a simple breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and hash browns. Gin and I both ate our fill before heading off to work, thanking the kitchen staff on our way out. Before we reached the street, I lightly took Gin's shoulder.

"Could you, um… not tell Shinji or Sosuke about… that?" I asked, blushing lightly. He smiled.

"Of course not," he replied. "I would hate for them to find out that I healed you."

I blushed darker and winced, just imagining how that would be.

"Thanks," I told him.

"Should I be expecting to come heal you every two weeks?" he asked, a blush coming to his face again, making me laugh.

"Probably," I answered. He blushed darker, but nodded, accepting that. So, we flashed to the office. Only Sosuke was there, no surprise. "Good morning."

Sosuke's went to reply, but dropped his quill when he looked at me.

"What?" I asked, puzzled.

"You… you had relations with someone last night," he commented, then forced his eyes back to the paperwork. "No wonder Hirako's late."

My eyes widened.

"How did you know?" I asked ruefully. He spared me a small glance.

"You're glowing," he answered simply. "It's known as the just-had-sex glow."

I flushed darkly.

"If it's any consolation, I didn't sleep with your nemesis," I stated, going to make tea. I didn't even hear him move before he was in front of me, stopping me with his hands on my arms.

"You DIDN'T sleep with Hirako?" he clarified. I shook my head, watching a great deal of the tension leave him… until another thought turned his face sour. "Who was it?"

I frowned.

"Why does who it was matter?" I demanded.

"It doesn't," Sosuke blurted out, hiding his true thoughts again, making me frown.

"Now hold on a minute!" I said, grabbing his shoulders before he could walk away. "You jump down my throat for having sex and now you're acting like it doesn't matter! What the hell?!"

"Drop it, Akalia," he told me sternly and I scowled.

"The hell I will!" I snapped, getting up in his face. "Why. Does. It. Matter."

I could hear his heart beating faster, could see the war within his eyes… but I couldn't understand it.

"Sosuke?" I asked softly, pleading for him to answer me. He opened his mouth—

"Ugh, morning," came Shinji's voice, making us jump. Realizing I probably still had that glow, I flashed out, making my way to the ninth division instead, hoping to get a translation from guy-speak to girl from Mashiro. Hopefully she could explain what was wrong with Sosuke.

I arrived at the office mere minutes before she and Kensei did. Kensei appeared to have a massive hangover, but it didn't seem to stop him from noticing the "glow". His eyes widened in surprise but, before he could say anything, I jerked him into the office by his robes and pushed him in further so I could shut the door behind Mashiro.

"I need a guy-speak translation," I stated coolly, making him look at me. Mashiro squealed.

"You got laid!" she said excitedly, hugging me excitedly, then paused, realizing something. "Wait a minute… Shinji was with us last night…"

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"It wasn't Shinji," I stated. "Back to the translation I need—"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Mashiro cut in. "You CHEATED on Shinji?!"

I groaned.

"It's not that simple!" I tried to explain, but got cut off by Kensei this time.

"You were drunk, weren't you?" he asked. Immediately, I nodded, blushing darkly.

"Not the best way to wake up, let me tell you," I grumbled, then looked at Mashiro again. "Can you help me with a translation or not?"

"Trans… right! Yes!"

Mashiro immediately bobbed her head.

"Someone else noticed the glow and thought it was Shinji until I corrected them," I began. "Then he was jumping down my throat, demanding to know who it was before abruptly doing a 180 and telling me it didn't matter!"

Mashiro's eyes widened as she covered her mouth in surprise.

"Ooo!" she said woefully. I glanced at Kensei, only to see him shaking his head.

"Hello?" I said. "Translation?"

"That guy's in love with you," they chorused, making me start. My eyes widened in shock.

"Huh?" was the most intelligent reply I could come up with. Mashiro made me sit down on the couch.

"He got jealous," she explained. "Fiercely so. When he thought it was Shinji, your boyfriend, he knew it was bound to happen and was able to deal with that… but to learn that someone ELSE had you… well, that rubbed him the wrong way something terrible."

I was in complete shock.

Sosuke… is in love with me?

Even my own mind scoffed at the idea. Sosuke was not the type to love anyone, least of all me. But then I recalled the war in his eyes… and the not-a-pity date…

"Oh god…"

I sat down hard, my hand on my mouth.

"You gonna be okay?" Mashiro asked. Slowly, I nodded, putting my thoughts into order.

"I just… I just need a minute," I said slowly, getting my bearings.

Sosuke is in love me… and I can handle that. I just have to make sure to let him down easy, to not encourage those feelings any more than I had to. Finally at peace, I went to get up, only to feel a familiar reiatsu racing towards us. I actually started to feel a bit faint. I was sure I could tell Shinji the same story I'd told Kensei and Mashiro… but I wasn't so sure how he'd take it.

"Hey, Kensei!" called Shinji from outside. "My fourth seat busy?"

"Nah," Kensei answered, letting Shinji in. Immediately his eyes went to me, the frown on his face.

"Sosuke told me," he answered my unspoken question. I sighed, feeling a bit guilty (not about sex with Kouga, but about the lie I was about to tell). "Who was it?"

I blushed darkly.

"I'd wager she doesn't know his name," Kensei spoke up for me.

"Yeah," Mashiro agreed. "She was drunk."

That cooled Shinji's temper a little, but not much. He walked over and grabbed my arm, dragging me out the door. Once outside, he flashed to the courtyard behind his quarters.

"What the hell happened?" he demanded, his voice uncharacteristically serious. I sighed.

"I don't remember most of it," I "admitted" to him. His frown deepened. "I remember you and Kensei at the party… drinking while talking to Tosen, and then Tosen telling me he thought I'd had enough and he walked me home… but I didn't stay there and decided to go for a walk to clear my head…"

I paused as if the memories had started to become hazy.

"Was it near the fourth or the third division?" I asked myself, thinking aloud, biting my nail as I started to pace, trying to "remember" more.

"You bolted when you woke, didn't you?" he said finally, his voice a heavy sigh. "I doubt you'd even remember where you bolted from…"

I flushed darkly and couldn't look at him.

"Akalia… you're not allowed to drink anymore without someone there to keep an eye on you," he told me firmly, hugging me, surprising me. "That could have ended very badly, you know?"

I sighed, knowing he was right about such a situation, should it ever really happen.

"Let's get you to the fourth to take an emergency contraceptive," he told me, making me blush even darker.

Would it even be possible for Kouga to get me pregnant like this, in this strange visitation we're having?

Somehow, I doubted it completely. Interrupting my thoughts, Shinji flashed us to the fourth and bought me a contraceptive, having me take the pill quickly. I did so without an ounce of hesitation.

"Slip-up?" teased the division member. I flushed.

"Not the way you think," I "admitted" to her. "Got drunk."

She laughed.

"You'd be surprised how often we hear that," she told me reassuringly. "Feel free to come back whenever."

I nodded and thanked her, letting Shinji take us back to his office, though he stopped me from walking in. Just outside the office, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me. I smiled softly and kissed him back, though my mind noted how different his kiss was from Kouga's. It was like I couldn't even control my own mind anymore.

"Please tell me you didn't lose your v-card to a drunken mishap," he begged me. I chuckled.

"No," I assured him. "I lost that to someone I loved."

That put him at ease and he nodded.

"Thank god," he said, then pulled me into the office. Gin was helping Sosuke with the paperwork and Shinji started in on a pile of reports from the patrols. I went back to making tea and soon served everyone. Sosuke wouldn't even look at me.

To be honest, that hurt… a lot. When Shinji left to do some captain work, I sat down on Sosuke's desk, spinning around to face him, keeping my legs over his paperwork so he couldn't ignore me. He sighed and looked up at me, annoyed.

"Please don't stay mad at me," I pleaded. "I hate it when you give me the silent treatment."

To add to it, to help break the ice between us, I let my eyes well up with tears.

"With Kit…" I paused, steeling myself. "With Kit gone, you're all I have left…"

My soft whisper broke through, making him sigh and hug me, letting me hug him back.

"I'm not mad at you, Akalia," he told me. "I'm just… upset that you made such a poor choice… You're with someone… you should be faithful."

Perfect set-up for a half-lie. I looked at the floor.

"I just… I didn't want to disappoint Shinji… so I asked someone I knew to teach me," I "admitted" softly. Sosuke tensed, but then sighed.

"Shinji would think it an honor to take your first time," he assured me. "You could never disappoint someone that loves you."

I sighed heavily.

"I didn't… I didn't consider that…"

Sosuke sighed, telling me he knew I wouldn't have, then pulled me off the desk.

"Take these to the second, fourth, sixth, seventh, tenth, and twelfth divisions," he said, handing me several folders of paperwork. I nodded and headed out. "Akalia?"

I paused and looked back at him.

"Why didn't you ask me, to teach you, I mean?" he asked. I flushed darkly.

"I didn't… I didn't want to endanger our friendship," I answered softly, honestly. It was the main reason I would never sleep with Sosuke. "Stuff like that… even just teaching… changes people. I don't want to lose what we are, Sosuke. And things between you and Shinji are already strained… I didn't want to add fuel to the fire."

He sighed and nodded, accepting my answer, letting me head on out. I noted the knowing look on Gin's face as I left, making me shoot him a small smile.

That kid's not as dumb as people think.

Other than that morning, my day couldn't have been sweeter. I was skipping a lot, my head in the clouds.

"Akalia!" called Mashiro, getting my attention. "Women's Association meeting in the bathhouse!"

I nodded and made my way over. I noted that several men were making their way into the neighboring men's bathhouse. The places were practically wide open, the only barrier being a fence and a rock formation. I had a feeling they were all going in for the sole purpose of eavesdropping.

To my surprise, Shinji was one of them. I giggled and walked into the bathhouse, stripping down to join the other ladies in the hot springs at the back, right next to the wall.

"Hey Akalia!" many of them greeted. I waved and took a seat.

"So, topic for discussion today is…" the captain began, getting a playful drumroll for effect. "Lovers!"

Immediately, several girls squealed and the younger, v-card carrying ones blushed.

"For those of you that are still untouched, I'd suggest you take notes from the more experienced," she went on. The sheltered girls nodded, still blushing darkly.

"Does your first time really hurt?" one of the virgins asked. I chuckled.

"Depends on whether your lover knows what he's doing or not," I replied, surprising several women.

"You're not a v-card carrier?" demanded Cimorene. I shook my head. "You dirty slut!"

Immediately, she was hit by three different women. I turned back to the girl who'd asked.

"Can it be painful, yes," I continued to answer her, noting how she was really listening. I could tell the thought of pain really scared her. "But a good man will make sure the pain is only the tiniest moment."

"What was the guy like that took yours?" she asked. Once again, I had everyone's attention. I chuckled… then started reliving the night with Kouga for them.

"Well… It wasn't planned, I assure you."

That got a few giggles.

"We were just talking, a few kisses strung throughout, just sweet, innocent little things," I began to reveal. "Then he started telling me he felt guilty, guilty that he was keeping me all to himself. He thought he was being ungodly selfish. I told him that love is just that: selfish. I chose him, such as he was."

Several girls gushed at how sweet that was.

"Needless to say, the next few kisses weren't so sweet," I went on, making several girls giggle. "Every kiss he gave me started to cloud my mind… such passion, such deliciousness… Every place his skin touched mine, I burned."

Another round of giggles.

"Oh, and he didn't use his hands to get annoying fabric out of the way at first," I went on. "He used his teeth."

That got a few squeals and I relished how they hung on my every word.

"Okay, so he gets my bra unfastened… but loses patience and rips it off, tearing the straps completely," I continued, listening to the girls all squeal again. "Then he picked me up, those sinfully strong hands on my thighs, pushing my back up against the post of the bed… and used my sash to tie my wrists up above my head to the canopy."

Exclamations followed that one, all of them getting excited.

"He was a merciless tease," I reminisced. "If his fingers weren't moving, his lips sure as hell were!"

Giggles escaped the group as I shivered at the memory.

"Careful, ladies!" giggled the captain. "Someone's getting hot just remembering!"

I giggled and they girls begged me to continue.

"As a v-card toting fool at the time, I had no clue how to react or what to think," I stated, looking at the virgins as they blushed. "All these sensations were seriously making it impossible to think. I knew I wanted his touch… but I didn't know where or how. I was embarrassed when he got me naked, wishing my hands weren't tied so I could have covered myself, though the burning, predatory gaze he gave me assured me such a thing was unnecessary."

"Mm-mm!" several older women purred.

"And then there was the embarrassment of realizing I was getting soaked!" I spelled out, my face turning red, making the older gals giggle again as they recalled their own experiences. Then I got a devilish grin. "Not that he really gave me time to dwell on that."

That got a few giggles.

"Then those talented fingers got to work," I murmured, a slight whimper to my voice at the memory, several girls hooting and jeering playfully. "Those sinful, teasing hands… When he slipped a finger inside, he realized I was untouched… and decided to slow down a little. He slid down to his knees and put my thighs on his shoulders… and gods the things that man could do with his mouth! Mm-mm!"

Several girls laughed and jeered again.

"Got me off twice with fingers and tongue alone…" I embellished, making the virgins giggle. "When he slid back up and released my hands, I couldn't stand for love nor money… but I really wanted to return the favor and told him so. I asked him to tell me how to please him."

Several girls gasped followed by squeals.

"So he sat down on a chair, putting me between his legs," I explained. "Then told me to go with instinct. He'd let me know if I was doing something wrong or if he wanted something else… Turned out he didn't have to do either. All those steamy novels might as well be instruction manuals, let me tell you! Hearing him cry out my name as he jerked my head off before he blew was hot as hell!"

That got laughter and squeals.

"He didn't waste time and dragged me up to the bed, both of us absolutely crazy with our need at that point that reason was nearly completely gone," I pushed on. "I arched into him, only for him to pin my hips down, begging me not to tease so freely. He didn't want to lose himself just yet, didn't want to hurt me… so I fought my instincts, letting him slowly push in… The pain lasted mere seconds, my need for him coupled with the pleasures of him inside me, his skin against mine, those sinful lips… I was swept away… but he still held back. Once I was used to him, I told him I wanted it all… and the chain on his restraint broke!"

"Ooo!" squealed the girls.

"Gods, it was great," I giggled. "Nothing better than watching a man completely lose control… Made it last, switching positions every time we got close… Then reverted to missionary, commanding me to look at him, to look him in the eye as I came… hard."

"Oh gods," one of them moaned. "So delicious!"

Several of the other women were whimpering, rubbing their legs together.

"Afterwards, he held me as we struggled to get our breaths back," I finished. "I got lucky. I got a damn good man for my first time."

"How perfect!" one of them gushed when I was done.

"He's so sweet!" another said.

"Aww!" a lot of the v-cards chorused.

"Have you had a lover since?" asked one of the more experienced ladies. I shook my head, surprising them. The woman then turned a smug look to Cimorene. "So, how can she be a dirty little slut, Cimorene? She's only been with ONE man!"

"Unless you count getting drunk, like last night," I admitted. "First and last time… ever."

That got some laughter.

"Doesn't count," that woman assured me, then realized something. "Wait a minute! You mean to tell me you and Captain Hirako haven't screwed yet?"

That got several pairs of wide eyes turned my way as I blushed darkly.

"No, we have not," I admitted. "I feel like… he doesn't even really want to, you know? Spends more time with the damn paperwork and drunk off his ass than he does me."

That got several reactions, most of them disappointment in Shinji.

"I'm sure he's just waiting for the right moment," someone called out, immediately getting a lot of support.

"Hirako may be an incorrigible flirt, but he's also one of the sweetest guys out there," another put in.

Well, nice to know his ego's getting stroked.

I chuckled at the thought.

"He's like a less-gentleman-like Ukitake!" another put out there, making several girls laugh.

"Ukitake's the kind of guy that would give you his haori if he saw you naked," another woman teased, making all the girls laugh and agree with varying statements.

"I actually thought he was gay," one virgin admitted, making us girls burst into laughter.

Poor Jushiro. After that comment, we went off on a tangent, discussing the various men of the Seireitei. I put in my two cents every now and then, but then Kensei's name came up. Immediately, nearly every girl swooned and Mashiro rolled her eyes. I giggled at her reaction.

"Now there's a dreamboat," one girl gushed. I laughed.

"If you can get past the anger-management issues and bad attitude," I stated. Mashiro immediately agreed and several women did, grudgingly, admit I had a point. "He may be gorgeous, but I don't feel like fighting with my lover um-teen times a day. I mean, come on! Just imagine it, will ya? He's in the middle of training, taking a quick water break, and you walk over to give the poor boy some love… and what does he do? 'Woman! I'm training! Go bother someone else!'"

That made several girls laugh, Mashiro included. I'd even managed to sound just like him in voice. It took them a few minutes to stop laughing.

"Wow, you really got him pegged," Mashiro told me, still giggling. I shrugged.

"Not hard to figure out," I admitted. "He's kind of an open book."

"What about Aizen?" asked another girl as she looked at me. "What do you think? You know him the best."

I chuckled, thinking about it.

"I think… Sosuke would probably be the type to make sure no one doubted you were his… once he got up the courage to tell you how he felt," I began to explain, knowing well that Sosuke had to be nearby. "And if he does have feelings for you that he hasn't voiced, he'll be over-bearing, over-protective, jealous, but still be sweet, kind, and caring."

"Aww!" several girls said.

"I imagine, since I've never actually known Sosuke to love anyone, that the person he loved would want for nothing," I went on. "He's the kind to plan everything, several steps in advance. Don't ever play chess with the guy, trust me. He'll have you beat on the first move."

That made a few girls giggle.

"As such, he'll want his woman to understand she can rely on him for everything… but she would have to be strong enough in her own right that she doesn't HAVE to," I finished. That made several girls pout, realizing their own short-comings would count them out.

"And why aren't you dating him instead of Hirako?" asked another. I blushed.

"I don't want to risk our friendship," I admitted, making several older ones immediately give understanding responses. They all knew how badly a relationship could get ruined due to a fallout in the romantic department. However, the one who'd asked looked at me like I wasn't making any sense, so I expanded.

"Imagine, if you will, that I did start to date him," I explained simply. "And something happened, say something that ruined our trust… not only would I lose a boyfriend… but I'd lose a best friend, too."

Now she got it, seeming surprised that she hadn't thought of it that way.

"Sometimes, it just isn't worth the risk," I told her. "While other times it is. The hardest part… is knowing which case is the one you're walking the line on. I don't know where I'm standing with Sosuke… so I'd rather not take the chance at all. I care about him far too much."

Several girls agreed with me.

"Lady Akalia Kuchiki?" came a voice from the entrance. I looked over. "Your presence has been requested by Lord Ginrei."

I nodded.

"I'm coming," I said. "Sorry ladies."

"Bye, Akalia," several of them called, waving me off. After dressing, I flashed to the office, glad to see he was still there.

"You sent for me?" I asked. He nodded and had me sit down.

"How are things going for you?" he asked. I smiled warmly.

"They're wonderful," I answered honestly.

"Akalia, the servants of your manor have been whispering some very interesting things," he told me, making me frown. "Especially about last night."

I looked at him, puzzled.

"What do you mean?" I asked and he looked right at me.

"I know you were with my ex-son-in-law," he stated, cutting straight to the point. I paled. "I also know your name is not Akalia, is it, Vasilysa?"

I felt my heart sink.

"Do you want to tell me what's going on and how it is possible that Kouga Kuchiki, the man who was sealed away by my own hand for the safety of everyone—including himself—was in your bed?"

I hesitated.

"I'm not sure you would believe me," I answered honestly. "I'm still struggling to understand it myself… It's something Durnehviir was able to do. When I went to my soul room, there was a door I'd never seen before. It appeared the first time I entered the manor, two weeks ago. Curious, I went through the door…and found Kouga on the other side. The first visit, we just caught up. He… wasn't himself… but he was by the time I left. He was completely back to himself."

I paused.

"As to what happened last night, I'm not sure," I answered honestly again. "I discovered the door was back and went through it again. This time, the mists disappeared and it appeared that we were in my bedroom… I didn't realize until morning that the events that I thought only happened in my soul room were very real, that he'd actually been there with me."

I stared at my hands, feeling a defiant streak rising within me.

"I won't apologize for it," I admitted. "I don't regret a single moment of it… but that doesn't mean I understand it, either."

Silence fell as he absorbed what I'd told him. Finally, he sighed.

"I'm afraid I don't understand it either," he told me. "If the door was in your soul room itself, it is NOT an ability of your zanpakuto. It is something that you, yourself, are doing."

"Why was he sealed away?" I asked softly. "He said he was betrayed… but I feel like he's missing some crucial information…"

Ginrei sighed wearily.

"Kouga… lost himself to despair," he admitted. "He lost himself to the arrogance of his power, even turned against and abused Muramasa, his own zanpakuto. We could no longer help him, not after he started slaughtering innocents in the Rukon. Yamamoto and I sealed him away, both to save the people and himself."

He shook his head sadly.

"If what you say is true, then I believe it is the love you share that is over-coming his madness," Ginrei went on. "If that is so, perhaps in time, we might release him from his prison… but for now, he must answer for his crimes. Whatever power you are using to reach him… don't stop using it. You may be the last hope he has."

I was openly shocked. Not only did Ginrei NOT betray him, he was begging me to HELP him? Maybe he really DID love Kouga like a son!

"Now, why do you not use your name?" he asked.

"It's for my own safety," I admitted. "My parents were forced to send me away to keep me alive… so Vasilysa had to die… but I wanted to hear Kouga say MY name, not the name I thought up for a cover."

Ginrei nodded, accepting my answer.

"All right, child," he said. "I'm trusting you… Please do not make me regret it, Akalia."

I nodded and smiled softly.

"Thank you… for understanding," I told him. He nodded and let me leave. After I left, I flashed back to the squad five office. I was pleased to see that only Shinji was there, letting me sneak in and step up behind him. With a smile, I leaned forward and hugged him from behind.

"Hey handsome," I greeted. He spared me a glance before turning around in his chair and pulling me into his lap, slipping his lips onto mine. The kiss was sweet, loving.

"So, you feel like I don't want you in my bed," he stated, looking into my eyes. I looked away, but nodded. He turned my face back towards his and looked me in the eyes again. "What if I told you I was waiting for you to want me?"

My eyes widened in surprise.

"What do you mean?" I asked. "You were waiting… for ME to make a move?"

He nodded, letting his hands dance up my sides slowly, softly. I shivered at the sensation and closed my eyes for a moment… cracking them back open to look at Shinji.

"I'm not that bold," I admitted. "I've literally only ever had sex that one time, not counting last night as I can't remember it at all."

His eyes widened at that revelation.

"You never slept with that guy again?" he asked, shocked. I shook my head and looked at my lap. Shinji immediately hugged me close to him.

"I'm sorry," he told me. "I didn't realize…"

I shook my head with a smile, kissing him softly, tenderly.

"How could you have known?" I asked with a warm smile. "I never told you."

I kissed him again, letting my hand run softly through his hair.

"That lovely tease I used to make you blush a while back…" I said softly, watching a softly blush rise to his cheeks at the memory. "I got the idea from Yoruichi. I asked her how to pull a fast one on you. Took forever to get myself up the nerve to do it."

Again, that surprised him, then he scowled.

"That's cheating," he pouted. "Getting her help… I should've known…"

I giggled and grinned at him.

"Was totally worth it," I stated. "And that wasn't the only idea she gave me."

His eyes snapped up to mine.

"Don't you dare!" he told me, making me laugh.

"You're no fun," I teased, pouting. He responded with a devilish grin just before I found myself on the floor, his body over mine. My eyes didn't even have time to widen before he kissed me, his hands slinking down my sides, his knees slipping between my legs. His hands pulled my thighs up around his waist as he rocked his hips, thrusting against my sex, making me gasp softly, my fingers tangling in his hair as I kissed him again.

A soft purr slipped from me as his hand slid back up my side, up to cup my breast through my uniform. He ground himself against me and I couldn't help but moan softly at the delicious hardness I felt there, his lips taking the break from mine as a sign to descend down my neck… then back up towards my ear.

"Still doubt that I want you?" he whispered, his breath teasing my ear, making me shiver again.

"Nope," I answered immediately, taking the opportunity to lightly nibble his ear, remembering how he'd liked that before. Sure enough, he groaned softly, then wrapped his arms around me as he stood, keeping my legs around his waist. I felt the flash-step but paid little heed as I kissed him hungrily again the second I felt the sensation stop. He groaned as I ground my sex against the rod that had to be almost painful by now.

Once inside, he set me on my feet and I started unfastening his clothing as fast as I could, clothing he was gladly shedding as he urged me backwards, his hungry lips never leaving mine except for short breaths. Once he was undressed, his clothes in a path leading from the front door to where we were now, his eager hands started in on mine, continuing the trail. By the time we reached the bedroom, we both didn't have a single stich of clothing left, just hungry, exploratory hands. When my hand wrapped around his length, he broke the kiss with a hiss.

"Akalia…"

Then he picked me up and shoved my back against the wall, pinning me there with his body. My fingers jerked his head back, baring his neck to my hungry, needy mouth as I kissed, licked, and nibbled at it, tasting every inch of his exposed skin. Pants slipped from his lips, brushing my ear as he let me have this control.

I let my mouth explore every inch I could reach, which wasn't very far in this position, though he soon took control of this situation. He rocked his hips, rubbing that delicious length along my folds, folds that were beyond soaked already.

"S-Shinji!" I gasped out, feeling him smile against my cheek as he trailed kisses down from my ear, down my neck, nibbling and sucking softly on the way, leaving a dark trail to mark his conquest.

My heart hammered in my chest, my body shivering in pleasure. Heat pooled between my legs, the smooth skin of his body slowly sliding down mine, each inch seemed to take an eternity, making me pant and quiver. Then his lips encompassed my nipple, making me gasp and arch against him.

"Oh god, Shinji!"

My cries seemed to really please him.

"DAMMIT SHINJI!"

We both swore darkly, hearing Hiyori's voice.

"Did you have plans or something?" I asked. Shinji groaned, but nodded.

"I forgot," he admitted.

"GET DRESSED AND GET OUT HERE OR I'M DRAGGING YOUR NEWD ASS!"

I groaned, but laid my head back against the wall.

"Better get going," I told him. He kissed me heatedly, making my body burn.

"We'll finish this later," he promised me, then slid me down to my feet before he pulled away, getting a spare set of clothes from his dressers, looking over at me, his eyes hungry. "God, you look good enough to eat…"

I chuckled and licked my lips, glancing down at the slight bulge in his pants.

"I could say the same thing," I teased, making him curse Hiyori under his breath again before he stole another hot kiss… and left. Once they were gone, I grumbled and picked up all my clothes, getting dressed again. Then I picked up Shinji's and put them in the dirty clothes. When I sat down with some tea, I couldn't get my body to stop shaking. It still thrummed with desire, with pent-up need.

Groaning, I forced myself to leave his quarters, desperate to find a distraction.

Such a bother waiting for reviews... and I'm far too impatient. I love sharing my works with others. Guess this is proof of that impatience. I'm posting two chapters this time. Enjoy it, my beloved Readers!

Viper-Sindel