Fall from grace

By hye-kyo

Disclaimer: Nope, RK isn't mine…

Author's Notes: So a little background on this shot…this is about the Darkness Festival held, I don't know when in Japan, it is known as the Rokusha Myoujin Ceremony or the other name which I couldn't remember. Just google Darkness Festival if you want to find out more about it. Anyway, the thing is, during this festival lights are all turned off as the pilgrims head to the shrine. Men then take advantage of the girls and rape them and since it's not allowed to utter a single, small sound during this festival rape cases were not reported. This was the case before, during the earlier eras. I don't know about now. I've tried researching but couldn't find more on this topic. Anyway, I kind of twisted the idea a bit and what happens here is quite different from what really happens. So there, but the basic idea of the festival is there. So tell me what you think.

Read and review!

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Title: Darkness

Rating: M

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She was not surprised at the sudden movement; lean, strong arms caught her from behind, snaking about her waist.

It was the time when the lanterns were put out, the Male God meeting with the Female, a grand event, when the world was dark and the gods were walking the earth for the first time. It was sacrilegious to make a sound, and her scream died in her throat as the arms that captured her slowly slid the sleeves of her kimono down her shoulders.

She watched as the sky grow from dim to dark, felt her blood rushing to her ears as she felt a pair of hot hands touching her where no one should touch her. She was slowly brought down on the grass, a moist film covering the ground as a lantern above provided a faded glow. One by one the lanterns will come alive, the copulation of the gods complete, then everyone will celebrate.

Her mouth went dry as her legs were nudged slightly apart, her body growing numb, unable to move, protest. She felt helpless.

"Kaoru," a hush. A little hush that broke the rules of the matsuri.

Her pupils dilated, her head turned towards the voice, a deep baritone, slight tremors, gentle, soothing. Her hands involuntarily shot up, touching the face, the mouth, the nose, the cheeks, the eyes. "Kenshin?"

"Yes," and a kiss on the mouth. A fiery kiss, hushed yet all at once intense. She knew this was wrong, this was not to be...but tonight, tonight is different. His hands caught her own, brought them above her head and whispered, "Mine."

"Yours," she responded, "The darkness…it will not last…"

"I know," he traced the line of her mouth with his own, down her collarbone, down the open lapels of her kimono. "You are moving to Kyoto tomorrow."

"I am," she touched his hair. She could see it clearly in her mind's eye, the red fiery mane, the golden orbs, hungry and possessive, the strong bridge of his nose, the shape of his face, the line of his mouth, his lean chest, hard against her own, crushing her beneath him, his hands, hot and voracious. She could see him, see him in her mind, she could remember, just as well as she could feel him, like the first time he laid her down on the hay to make love to her. It was hours before dawn and the air was damp and chilly and he laid her down and undressed her with his hands and eyes and mouth and he kissed every inched of her, tasted every bit of her skin and whispered prayers on every part of her.

"I will take you away," he said, steel in his voice. He caressed her slowly, seeing the light reflected in her eyes.

"You cannot. I am a slave."

"I will," he kissed her soundly, moving above her, coaxing her, reassuring her with both words and caresses.

Blood pounded into her ears, his scent assailed his senses, making her throb with need. She was not sure of many things, but as he kissed her, touched her, made her his, she realized it didn't matter. It was only about him. About him and her.

He held her tight, tight as he moved, always, always gentle, gentle with a fiery intensity, just like before, just like the rare times they had the chance to be together.

She clawed his back, bit her lower lip and muffled a cry from her mouth. How long has it been? Ah, she closed her eyes, his mouth on the valley between her breasts, chances like this were rare. She cannot be with him, him of noble birth. Only in the darkness can she be with him. She looked up, the lanterns slowly being lit up. The Male deity had met with her Female consort. The joining had been done, they were one. She turned back to watch his face and she knew, his incredibly beautiful face was hers alone. She knew he was hers. Inasmuch as she was his. "Yours," she mouthed.

"Kaoru," he whispered, his hold getting tighter. His kisses more intense, urgent, the darkness being lifted. "I'm taking you away. Where we wouldn't need to hide anymore."

She took in mouthfuls of air, the need heavier. She could see the orange light reflecting the scarlet hue of his hair, creating a halo around his face. She dug her fingernails against his back, knew that it hurt, knew that he wouldn't mind. She gasped, low, praying, whispering to the gods, hoping. She felt a prickling in her eyes, her breathing more ragged as she tried to muffle her own cries.

His eyes were on hers, watching the lighting of the lanterns through her. "It's almost over," he whispered, a fleeting touch of his lips on her mouth. The gates will be opened soon. Freedom will come by dawn.

She nodded, convulsing, feeling her blood rushing to her face, her body becoming alive, sensitized and free. She whimpered, a low whispered whimper, and she buried her face in his red hair just as he moved to ease her garments on her. The lanterns are almost all lit up. The matsuri was almost over. The darkness was almost over. Their time was almost over.

He stood up and helped her on her feet. He smiled as her knees buckled under her, he caught her, kissed the top of her head and dusted off her kimono. It was a new one, a new kimono he had slid under her door to give to her. He told her to wear it tonight. Tonight at the matsuri.

"Kenshin," she looked up hesitantly to meet his eyes.

"In an hour," he said, his mouth on hers once more, "I'll meet you at the bridge in an hour."

"Yes," she said hoarsely, her foot taking a step forward as if to follow him. She reached for him but he had taken a step away. "In an hour," she repeated and watched as his figure melted into the receding darkness.

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A/n: You know the drill guys…