Do not own Mai-HiME characters. Yada yada…

Thank you everyone for your tremendous support:) For those of you that showed me where corrections were needed, punctuation, grammar mistakes, etc, thanks a lot, I really didn't want a lot of errors in the final chapter of the fic :) (A special thanks to Leebot for helping me stay on my toes in the last few chapters and for his/her incredible help and advice :) )

As for this chappie: Warning! SMEX SCENE… hem-hem… . . … And I'm sure you all know me by now – when there are "firsts" between the characters, good descriptions are necessary. And, of course, a lot of fluff.

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Chapter 11: Epilogue - Mine Beloved

Shizuru sighed blissfully as she released the half-bun in her smooth and beautifully-styled hair while Natsuki closed the door behind them, leaning her whole back against it with a huff. They just survived the wedding reception with all of Shizuru's family and Natsuki's friends. The reception interior was stylish with a hint of sophistication (actually, it reminded Natsuki a lot of the décor of the nightclub to which Shizuru had nearly dragged her). Mai had gleefully accepted being Shizuru's Maid of Honor, while Natsuki had to make do with Tate being Best Man; the two were planning on being wed on a date much further from Natsuki and Shizuru's, so it worked out more reasonably than having Reito as Best Man.

Since Japan was still stingy about marriage between two of the same sex, Shizuru suggested they go to Canada to wed. Natsuki regarded her with a rather nonplussed stare when she heard it, "Canada??" She had never flown anywhere before, much less go overseas. Naturally, she was a bit nervous. Shizuru easily understood that and, after a great deal of logical talk between the two (which was sparked only by Natsuki feeling disinclined towards flying), it was decided. So thus, all of the invitations were given, requesting for all to attend the Kuga-Fujino Wedding in Vancouver, Canada.

The most amusing sight was the look on Haruka's face when Shizuru asked her to be one of her Bride's Maids: It was like the woman swallowed a golf ball; her eyes grew so big and she almost refused to breathe. Though it took the busty blonde quite a while to give them a plain answer, they were happy to see that she accepted with minor reluctance. And, of course, Yukino had joined not just because she was a friend of the two, but to help Haruka as her 'moral support'. Mai had suggested inviting Miyu, but all not only knew that would Miyu choose caring for Alyssa over them, but they would have a hell of a time flying her to Canada without getting 'beeped' in the metal detectors. Both were surprised that Nao attended the wedding. "I didn't come for you," Nao had bluntly said when Shizuru thanked her for coming. "I came for Natsuki." All the same, Shizuru still couldn't help but smile and appreciate Nao joining them in their celebration; she was happy Nao had grown to care for Natsuki so much.

Many of the others from school were invited and several gladly accepted. Natsuki just made Shizuru promise to not make a big deal out of it when inviting people. This was only because she didn't want to see a bus full of ex-fangirls at her doorstep with sneers along with torches and pitchforks. She could just see herself immediately trying to shove the invading girls back out the door by their faces and she trying to shut the door against the strength of them all together.

The wedding was planned perhaps a year after Natsuki proposed – two and a half years after she arrived at the hospital. By the end of the first four months out of the hospital, all that was left to be seen of the bullet wound was a deep-red scar on her shoulder that seemed to refuse to discolor. For the entire time after Natsuki had been released, she had to wear her arm in a sling, which, of course, Shizuru always helped her with. For a long time after that, her arm and shoulder was still sensitive so nightly activities had been, unfortunately, barred.

Natsuki actually didn't mind it so much, for even though she was rough and fearless when she had nearly 'raped' Shizuru that one night, it had come only out of anger and pain. Ever since the strength returned and health fully restored in her arm and shoulder, she would always see that look in Shizuru's eye when evening came around: "W-well, why don't we just wait till the wedding night?" "Forgive me for my aggressive tone, but, when might that be, Natsuki?" Shizuru had once asked with almost imploring eyes. Natsuki pinked and gave a small smile. "Soon, I promise."

And Shizuru would always reluctantly agree – she had been waiting eight years for the moment when she would be allowed to touch her. Surely she could wait a little longer, (no matter how torturous it seemed). As long as she had Natsuki near and willing (though she would often blush bashfully) to kiss her and to allow to be kissed, she was comfortable with any understanding. To help the arrangement, they each slept in separate beds. The mornings and afternoons would often be spent with each other, unless Shizuru had one of her early business meetings to attend with her colleagues.

She grew more anxious as her green eyes lingered yet again on the beautifully pearl-and-blossom-adorned, ornate strapless wedding dress Shizuru wore. Natsuki was surprised that when Shizuru and her rode away from the chapel on Shizuru's father's fixed (and polished) like-new motorcycle, dirt didn't collect at the hem. Shizuru made the smart idea of having a tailor add pins and hooks to the back of the dress so that hem could be pulled up a bit and not catch on the gears.

Even now, by some miracle, it looked pretty immaculate. Of course, it was hard for any woman wearing a dress to ride a motorcycle if straddling it, so Shizuru instead rode it 'side-saddle' and held on tightly to the woman driving. Natsuki was just thankful that the bike arrived from overseas-shipping in time, Shizuru of course being very willing to pay for the rather pricy fee.

She heard Shizuru sigh contently again. "That was wonderful, was it not?" She removed her bulkier jewelry around at her wrists and set them on the polished, dark wood desk and inspected herself in the mirror.

"Yeah, it really turned out well. I was happy to see your mother so pleased with the whole thing, including my request to marry you." Truth be told, it shocked the hell out of her when she found how accepting Setsuka was towards them. Of course it wasn't as if she had gotten a warm hug or anything; her mother's personality was much too dry for that as she received a pleasant smile and a "Why that's wonderful! I'm so happy for you two!" in a low-key sort of tone.

"I think my most favorite part was when you proposed." Shizuru grinned even though she was still busying herself with refreshing her make-up. "You were so nervous and sweet, it was just perfect."

Natsuki smiled self-appreciatively, happy that Shizuru loved it since it had taken her so long to figure out how she should do it in just the right way. She knew that Shizuru was starting to be unsure as to whether Natsuki was going to live out her promise. It had, after all, been two and a half years since she told her she was going to propose (she told her she was going to, she just never stated when).

She remembered she had to call Mai for advice a few weeks after she had gotten out of the hospital. She also remembered Mai screaming her ear off, "YOU'RE GONNA PROPOSE!?" It startled her so bad that the sudden movement made her arm hurt like a bitch for the second time that day. When she settled her, Mai said that it always best to do in the evening, maybe with candles. A dinner together at the table always seemed too conventional, her redhead friend had stated almost offhandedly. "Maybe a picnic inside the house in front of the fire? Don't forget the candles!"

Then, the image of how everything should look fell right into place: Move the coffee table and instead lay a blanket in its place in front of the fire. Perhaps couple glasses full of dessert wine. Everything looked perfect in her head; she just wanted to wait so that she could catch the Kyoto beauty off-guard. So she took her time and enjoyed Shizuru's company as her official girlfriend. It had been an embarrassing first few months as Nao had a particularly fun time waving it over her head, teasing her about it in her own cold way. Despite, Natsuki tried her best to ignore her. Finally, one night, over two and a half years later, Shizuru had finally come home again and they sat laid in front of the fire, casually chatting. After perhaps twenty minutes, she decided to pull out the surprise. Knowing that Shizuru was going to be lying instead of standing, like she wanted, she hid the special box beneath the older girl's mound of pillows.

"Get up. I think you're on something." Natsuki had asked nonchalantly.

To Shizuru, apart from the addition of candles and delicate wine glasses, it felt like the same thing they'd do once every so often after the more stressful days. Not noticing anything out of the ordinary, she stood up so Natsuki could retrieve it.

Natsuki recognized the look on Shizuru's face, the look that said her heart had stopped – she tried not to smile and instead look solemn and serious. Wide crimson eyes watched as Natsuki - with care for the box- opened the little black box. From inside gleamed a three-diamond, rose-gold and silver-gold etched band. It was more beautiful than Shizuru had ever dreamed. Natsuki maneuvered herself so that she kneeled in front of the shocked girl that had stood before her.

"Shizuru?" Natsuki had started, her voice shaky with nervousness but her eyes fixed onto the watery ones which gazed upon her. "Will you marry me?"

It was then that the tears begun to fall. She didn't even answer before flooring the girl with her own body, kissing her fiercely and excitedly. "Oh Natsuki! Yes! Yes! Of course I will! I would love nothing more than to marry you!" Shizuru heard the younger woman laugh below her, holding her tightly. After a few minutes, Shizuru gently lifted herself from Natsuki's embrace. When the older woman was going to lean down and retrieve the box from Natsuki's hand, the younger girl stopped her.

"No, let me do it." Natsuki pulled up the box and removed the ring, smiling.

Fresh tears gathered in Shizuru's eyes as she simply watched her love gently slip the ring onto her slender finger. This time, the older woman couldn't stop the rivulets of tears as they rolled down her cheek as she leaned in again to press her lips tenderly to the smaller ones.

Even now, as Natsuki stood lost in thoughts in their rather grandiose hotel room, she could never the way Shizuru's eyes looked like beautiful, sparkling rubies when she would begin to cry out of sheer happiness.

Natsuki meandered over to the foot of the bed, flopping herself exhaustedly upon it. Her eyes closed for a moment to regain her strength. When they reopened, the sudden appearance of the woman leaning over her gave her a bit of a start. However, it wasn't just that as there was something else that made her heart rattle harder against its cage, 'Oh god… that look…'

Shizuru gazed at her, a heat in her eyes and her mouth, unlike usual, was unsmiling; so stern, yet so wanton. "I love how attractive you look in your suit." Her hand caressed the folds of her white jacket, then slipped down the white pant leg of her thigh.

"Shizuru…" Natsuki murmured almost breathlessly, uncertain.

"I've been rather patient, Natsuki. Do you not agree that I deserve a treat?" The younger girl noticed how husky the other woman's voice became. The look in her eyes almost scorched through her clothes as they ran over her body.

"Shizuru, we're not in here for five minutes and you already…"

"I cannot help it, Natsuki. I want you." Shizuru uncharacteristically interrupted. Her voice was like hot, rough sand as she crawled up and over Natsuki's body. A blush colored both their cheeks as the older woman's hand caressed its way back up to Natsuki's cheek.

Shizuru lifted herself up and off of her and extended a hand to help her to her feet. Natsuki, spellbound, wordlessly took it as her eyes remained locked. She made no move to stop her as Shizuru undid and removed her jacket and tie.

Tawny hair flew over the older girl's shoulder as she turned her back to her. "Could you," - she tapped a dainty finger over her shoulder, her eyes peering over to her – "unzip me?" She murmured.

Natsuki could hardly speak as her trembling fingers came up, clasped over the small zipper, and slowly brought it down along the track. As she watched more skin and black lace undergarments become exposed, the dryer her mouth felt. She drank in the sight of her smooth back. "Thank you." The older girl whispered, carefully removing the dress from her perfectly formed body.

Natsuki's heart began to race as uneasy thoughts came to her head. Was she ready for this? Long ago, just letting someone touch her casually seemed uncomfortable enough. She didn't want to seem prude or anything of the like but… well, what should she do? All she knew now was how stunning Shizuru had looked in that dress and how absolutely striking and – just thinking this word alone made her blush even more –sexy she was in lace. She had never seen Shizuru in such scandalous apparel. Sure, she had seen her in corsets and perhaps a few garters but this… intricate and almost see-through black and purple lace cropped-corset with black lace panties and black garter suspenders that attached to each stocking. Natsuki could look at nothing else but her. The luxurious room became nothing but empty space around them to her eyes.

Shizuru giggled, making the light of the room catch onto her smooth lip gloss. "Natsuki, close your mouth, it's obscene." With a tap of her hand against the bottom of the younger girl's slackened chin, Natsuki promptly closed it with coloring, embarrassed cheeks. "Would you like me to turn the lights off?" The tawny-haired girl asked softly, her burgundy eyes searching her own with a patient smile.

Natsuki weakly nodded. "Yeah. But, can we have a little light? I want to…" Her blush deepened. "I want to see you."

Shizuru's smile widened a bit as she nodded. "Of course." The lights were turned off and only one set of curtains were drawn back, leaving the lucent, crème-colored curtains to cover the spectacular view behind the sliding glass door that led to the balcony. City lights accompanied by the dim beams of the moon sifted through the shades, allowing shadows to blend with the night within the room. Shizuru, with her usual alluring, soft shake of her hips, strode back to Natsuki. "Is Natsuki okay?" She murmured with a nearly inaudible laugh as her hands slid almost possessively from the swell of Natsuki's breasts to over and around her shoulders, her lips and body drawing closer.

The younger girl gave a small nod as she brought up the courage to place her hands on the curves of Shizuru's waist. Her fingertips tingled at the feel of her soft, warm skin. Green eyes kept darting between the crimson ones and the lips that begged to be kissed. She felt her breathe in a soft sigh before they finally pressed fully against her own. Smooth, warm, and tender, yet passionate. Natsuki felt herself falling into the sensation as Shizuru's leaned her chest into her own, arms wrapping around her neck. Her own arms wrapped further around her waist, pressing her hips harder against her.

A quick inhale followed shortly by a moan full with need – the older woman couldn't hold it back as she moved her hands to cup her face by her neck, rotating her head to kiss her again at the opposite angle. Shizuru forced herself to pull away, her eyes gazing heatedly, desperately, into the forest looking back at her which bore the same with a hint of ambivalence.

Crimson eyes drifted down as her fingers idly undid each button of her blouse. Though Natsuki didn't observe her progression, she could feel how and where the other woman's eyes traveled as more skin became exposed to the cool light of the night. Soft breaths tickled and warmed the tops of her breasts and the gully between. Their eyes met again, Shizuru's never leaving Natsuki's as her hands came up, buried themselves beneath the blouse at the shoulders, and pushed - her hands slid down along her moderately toned arms until the article fell to the floor.

Shizuru's hands then braced themselves onto Natsuki's back. She leaned close, her eyes never leaving the younger girl's till they could no longer be seen – when her lips were an inch away from Natsuki's skin. Her eyes closed as she tenderly kissed along Natsuki's collarbone; along her breastbone, nearing the hem of her blue-lace bra; back up, along her throat. She felt the lace of her bra scratch and tickle her skin and knew Natsuki could feel the same.

Natsuki had no choice but to shut her eyes and simply feel - to hold onto the woman kissing and touching her skin; she was already dizzy from the sheer tenderness of it. Her breaths had already come shorter from the mix of anxiousness and sexual enticement growing inside her. "Shizuru…"

"I need to feel Natsuki's body against me." Shizuru murmured huskily, obviously experiencing the same. "I need to touch Natsuki's skin; to hear her call out by my hands and lips. I want to hear her say my name in the way I had always dreamt she would. I have dreamed of having Natsuki this way for so long… so long… and…. I don't think I can wait much longer." Her hands trailed down to Natsuki's black leather belt, spending a few more seconds than necessary to toy with the buckle as she undid it and slipped it off. Her eyes remained on Natsuki's once again as she did so and continued by unbuttoning and unzipping the pants, allowing them to fall. Gently, she pushed Natsuki back so she was sitting on the bed.

Panting faintly, Natsuki moved back on the bed, watching Shizuru's eyes as she crawled back onto it with her, her body moving over her. When she felt her head land on the pillow at the front of the bed, she stopped and continued to watch as the older woman straddled her, hovering just over her pelvic bone. Hands braced themselves at either side of Natsuki's body.

Shizuru seemed to simply gaze at the girl below her. Natsuki looked so beautiful. Her body, so lithe and fragile, yet so strong and physically manicured; her azure hair splayed in such a lovely fashion across the pillow; the look in her arresting eyes, so focused yet timid with its hint of defiance (as always) and yet so willing, however uncertain. She laughed.

Natsuki blinked. She made her laugh?? "What's so funny?" She asked, the excitement beginning to dissipate at this turn.

"Natsuki's nervous. I can see it in her eyes." Shizuru smiled broadly as if proud of something she had achieved.

Natsuki pinked again, hesitating. "Well, 'course I am." She answered dully, as though reluctant to even having this conversation. She didn't like it when people figured her out that fast. But, of course, Shizuru had always been the sharpest woman she knew. "I've never done this before, and you know how I am when it comes to… to intimacy. Aren't you?"

Shizuru only smiled and shook her head. "As I said, I have dreamt of this night, when I would be yours, and you mine. I know what I want to do to Natsuki, and so I have no fear." At Natsuki's cute blush and continuing silence, Shizuru softly ran the palms of her hands from the girl's shoulders to her hips and returning back. "Just lay back and relax, my Natsuki." Apparently she didn't need to say this as the work of her hands already did most of the job: Natsuki released a sigh and let her weight fall into the cushion of the pillow and bed, her eyes fixed onto Shizuru's. "I'll try to be gentle." And the older woman leaned over her and laid her body upon her, coaxing her lips open with her own.

The lips parted, and the older woman took the advantage and softly touched Natsuki's tongue with her own, lovingly swirling and caressing it till a moan released from the throat of the girl below her. Shizuru smiled. She swore the lips dripped with honey, they were so addictive. Brave hands held her waist again, caressing the skin of her lower back beneath her tight corset. Her own fingers dug beneath Natsuki's body to her bra. With a bit of maneuvering, she managed to undo and remove it.

Shizuru lifted herself up a bit and gazed at the dark nipples. After admiring the peaks of the small mounds, her eyes snapped up to Natsuki's, whose blush was noticeable even in the dim light.

The older woman smiled as her eyes followed her hands which ran up from low on Natsuki's hips and stomach to cup her breasts. While one caressed the side of one mound, the thumb of the other teased the dark nub of the one it held. She could feel Natsuki beginning to pant by the rise and fall of her chest against her hands. She leaned over her again, her lips caressing her skin from high on her neck to the valley between her breasts, taking idle care on her way down. Her tongue came to where her thumb had been teasing the hardening nub, flicking it over and over, running tight circles around it.

By now, Natsuki's pants finally became very audible. Shizuru felt a hand lie upon the back of her head, showing the other girl's growing acceptance to this treatment. Crimson eyes peered up, though she didn't stop. From what she could tell, the jade eyes were closed and lips were parted. Holding back another smile, she leaned her head toward the untouched twin, her body going with it. Her mouth encased the nub, licking and suckling, both at the same time and alternately. She heard a dull cry release from Natsuki's throat, her body beginning to squirm. "A-ah!"

A slender hand meandered its way down the fairly-chiseled stomach until it came to finger the lace hem of her panties. "Part your legs for me, Natsuki." She requested, whispering hotly in her ear. After so many years of being denied access to such treasures of the younger girl's body, she found she could no longer be civil.

Natsuki wordlessly obliged, shakily parting her legs. Shizuru noticed that her pants suddenly became faster and louder. Her fingers buried themselves beneath the fine material and combed into the silky patch of cobalt curls. When she thought Natsuki felt ready, she went lower.

"Natsuki, you're so…" Shizuru bit her lip, suppressing her own urge to moan as the unctuous wetness gathered around her dainty fingers. Warm pleasure already electrified her. She busied her mouth with its previous task upon Natsuki's hardened peak, its surface pressing hard into her tongue.

"Ah, mnh, Shizuru…" Natsuki arched her back mildly in her arms, soft moans coming between short pants. She heard the older woman giggle near her ear, her fingers continuing to stroke her at an easy pace. Her hips began to buck soon after the fingers begun to stroke her length faster. Moans and gasps began to bubble beneath her chest, pleading to be released. She felt the other girl press her hips hard into her thigh, straddling it and soon grinding herself against it, needing something to fight off her own arousal. Her own vocal pleas became inevitable when Shizuru's fingers caressed her harder than before. "Shi-…Shizuru!"

"Yes," It strangled from low in Shizuru's throat. She felt as though she had absolutely no willpower to keep her moans and cries in check; it felt too good to hold herself back as she grinded herself harder against the firm thigh. Natsuki pressed herself into Shizuru's hand, the waves of heat and passion becoming harder to endure. The wanton expression, hard pants and flushed cheeks the younger girl held told the girl above her how close she was. Smiling around the pleasure she currently placed on herself, she did her best to help Natsuki reach the edge.

"Ah, AH! Sh-Shizuru! Wha… Ah, uhn… w-wait!" Natsuki tried to speak around her gasps and cries. Her hand shot down to Shizuru's wrist and pulled her away.

Shizuru, who stopped moving against the other girl, gazed at her, surprised and concerned. "Natsuki? Did I hurt you?" Natsuki answered her by grabbing her at her waist and pulling her down next to her. "Natsu…" Shizuru was silenced by kiss, gentle yet dominating. When the tawny-haired girl felt the girl holding her reach for the hooks of her corset, she smiled into the kiss and maneuvered her body as needed to help her as her arms encircled her. When Natsuki finally managed to take the corset off, she reached down to undo the garters and remove the stockings (taking a moment to marvel at her slim legs with a surreptitious glance). Then, gazing softly into the crimson eyes that lovingly gazed back into her own, she pulled back the covers, let Shizuru slide in first, then followed after her, removing her own last article of clothing in the process.

For Shizuru's last bit of clothing, Natsuki took her time in that - that was apparent as she left them on and laid her body onto Shizuru's. Natsuki shivered; Shizuru sighed around her smile. 'Her body's softer and warmer than the bed.' The cobalt-haired girl thought to herself as she brushed the tawny hair away with the tip of her nose and kissed roughly along the smooth column of her neck.

"O-ooh. Oh, Natsuki…" Shizuru gasped, craning her neck to allow the girl more room. She almost laughed, surprised at how dominating Natsuki suddenly became. She briefly wondered how Natsuki would behave if she succeeded in enthralling her to an almost primal need. As much as she wanted to find out, she feared receiving complaints from the neighboring rooms the next morning (she grinned to herself at the thought). She couldn't help but sigh deeply as Natsuki pressed her closer to her body. Her breaths became more frequent as she felt the soft lips move down, beneath the sheets.

"I'll be gentler this time." Natsuki whispered as she took a taut nipple into her mouth.

Suppressing a soft moan within her throat, Shizuru sultrily teased, "Natsuki does not have to be." She couldn't help but smile broadly as she felt the body above her stiffen – she could tell just by that that the younger girl was blushing severely.

"You're not helping me at all, Shizuru." Came the muffled words through the sheets, locks of blue hair the only part visible above the layers of bedding.

The older woman grinned. "Natsuki does not seem to need my help as she's doing sovery well." The fingers of one hand buried endearingly into Natsuki's hair at the back of her head. "Natsuki has always been such a fast learner; I have no doubts that her talents will be quite…pleasurable." She paused as the younger girl's hesitation sustained. "Continue, Natsuki. I know you will sense when you err according to my…" Shizuru herself pinked and took a silent breath. "Responses to your, no doubt, talented care."

So she waited, her fingers still entangled in the azure strands. Her eyes fluttered closed as she felt the girl above her continue her ministrations onto her breasts. She arched herself harder into Natsuki's hands and lips. Soft moans came from her parted lips as she felt Natsuki fulfill her promise unto her body. Her ability to think and speak coherently was defenestrated and she allowed herself to simply feel; her tongue was so soft and her uncertain nibbles were gentle while carefully rough at the same time. Shizuru's hands followed the contours of Natsuki's lean back as the woman lowered herself, kissing down her flat, heaving stomach. When she felt the lips come close to the lace of her panties, her heart pounded as Natsuki slowly removed them with her thumbs. The small article of clothing was tossed outside the bedding to the floor.

By the way Natsuki moved, it seemed as though she looked with her hands and not her eyes, feeling the curve of her thighs. It was absolute torture: the gentle touches of her hands and fingers would come so close to where she needed to be touched and then they would draw away as if a magnetic field was pulling them back and forth. After a few seconds of searching, Shizuru's breath finally caught when fingers finally traced experimentally over the hot, ready flesh at the apex of her legs. Her hands grasped Natsuki's shoulders, holding her with desperation and desire.

"Mnh-ah!" Moans burst from her as she felt Natsuki's thumb caress her. She panted with each touch while Natsuki maneuvered her legs so that they rested over her shoulders, giving the older woman no choice but bury her hands deep into Natsuki's hair again. "Oh!" Her back arched at the dubious caress of a soft tongue against her. "Ha…" She panted as a warm mouth enclosed over her; a gentle suckle. "Nats…!" She threw her head back against the pillow as the more confident stroke of a tongue followed long against her. Lips repeatedly pressed against her, all around her. So soft and gentle. It sent a wonderful spark in her heart. Natsuki… The caresses continued, their frequency intermittent but intensity growing as Natsuki alternated between kisses and licks and suckles.

Shizuru tried so hard not to scream her ecstasy into the otherwise silent room. "Ah! Oh… mnh… Ha-Ah!... N-mnhhh… Ooh, Natsuki…" She felt her body grow unbearably warm as the seconds passed. The wonderful seconds… At almost every wave of intense pleasure that rolled through her, her head would tip back and her hold on Natsuki's hair would tighten until the wave subsided.

"Shizuru…" Natsuki's breath tickled her. The older woman felt the hands release her trembling hips. The hot palms slowly ran up from the pit of Shizuru's stomach to the utmost rib bone, just beneath her breasts.

Shizuru's back arched high again, her head dipping back as a cry finally broke free. "Natsuki!" It felt as though all the fires that had gathered at the pit of her stomach were spread throughout her body, setting her blood aflame. She panted hard, her glazed eyes shooting open to stare at the ceiling. Shizuru's voice was a very odd but equally alluring mixture in this state – the sophistication and class of the Kyoto-ben accent wrapped in utter abandonment. "Natsuki, please… Ah! I-I don't know h-Ha! Ah... how much longer I… mnh!" Trying to speak at all was futile as the hands repeated their track along her body, the lips and tongue remaining relentless along her length; swirling and dipping. The heat, the pressure… it finally released as Shizuru unconsciously pressed Natsuki against her, her long-awaited cry erupting from her as she shut her eyes tight against the unyielding waves and blinding white light.

Natsuki waited for Shizuru's body to finally give in to its weight and fall back onto the bed before slowly bringing herself back up from beneath the covers (quickly making sure to clean her face of the perspiration and Shizuru's essence from her mouth). Her cheeks reddened further as she gazed upon the flushed face and slightly-furrowed brows above closed eyes.

Natsuki opened her mouth to speak, but stopped as she feared any noise may break the beautiful, intimate image before her. A couple seconds' passing; she tried again. "I take it I didn't "err"?" She asked in a rather confident but low tone, smirking down at the girl trying hard to catch her breath.

Eyes still shut, Shizuru shook her head, making strands of wavy ocher hair stick to her glistening face. "No." She whispered breathlessly. "Never. It was so wonderful." It was then that she slowly opened her eyes, gazing back up to her.

Natsuki almost gasped but held it back: Shizuru's eyes looked so much brighter than she'd ever seen. They were like beautiful, warm vermilion beacons bearing an immeasurable capacity of love, adoration, devotion and trust. Her hand unthinkingly came to caress Shizuru's cheek, her fingers stroking into the silky strands of wavy hair and brushing her bangs out of her deep orbs of red. Smiling fondly, Shizuru reach up, took Natsuki's hand, and pressed her lips tenderly into her palm.

"How ironic this is." Shizuru whispered thoughtfully, her fingers teasing and lacing into Natsuki's own. "I never expected that, between the two of us - here, tonight - I would be the first to suffer the aftershocks of incomprehensible pleasure. I had wanted it to be you, Natsuki." She stated softly, her eyes unwaveringly upon the emerald ones above her.

Despite already knowing this, Natsuki still blushed and glanced away sheepishly. "It's okay. You don't need to." She figured that the woman below her was already too drained to even move by the hooded look in her eyes.

A corner of Shizuru's lips curved upward in a tired smirk. "Oh no. I will make sure to give Natsuki her share." A murky heat swirled in her scarlet eyes as she gently pushed Natsuki up so that she kneeled onto the bed, the sheets draping off her body. Shizuru, sitting up and placing her legs between the other girl's, let her eyes drink in the sight of her 'husband's' skin encased in the dim glow penetrating the curtains. "I'll give Natsuki everything she's given me and more."

As Natsuki felt soft hands feel their way up to her hips, one turning to press against the small of her back, she felt her heart hammer in her ears again. She wasn't sure which made her more nervous: giving pleasure or receiving it. When she was between Shizuru's legs, she was so apprehensive towards how and what she should do. She followed only her instincts; made guesses. At least the darkness and the older woman's encouraging sounds and hands helped a great deal. Eventually she lost herself in the very taste that was Shizuru. Now, it was just a matter of allowing herself to be touched in such a passionate way without growing too overwhelmed.

She placed her hands onto the shoulders of the woman below her, helping to keep her balance as slender fingers traced the curves of her worked yet soft abs. Shizuru's breath ticked the skin there as she caringly caressed her lips against her there. She jumped and gasped when the fingers touched her moist petals and slowly began where they had left off. The emerald eyes, which had been gazing down onto the head of ocher hair below her, turned dark and closed as mild vertigo settled over her again. As the strokes slowly increased speed and pressure, so did Natsuki's pants.

"Natsuki," Shizuru called softly, as her tongue came up to replace her fingers tracing the small crevices of her abs, "You're trembling." She teased, feeling the lost girl above her shuddering with every other breath she released. Natsuki only released a moan that was hardly audible. She smiled warmly against the quivering muscles. "Let me give you the pleasure I've always wanted to." As she spoke, she slipped one, then two fingers inside, stroking her back and forth.

"Ah!" Natsuki inhaled sharply and grasped Shizuru tighter. Like before, the fingers started slow, then slowly increased speed. Shizuru could feel the moisture coat her fingers as the muscles enclosed around them tighter. "Uhn-Ah! Ha! Th-that…!" The younger woman couldn't help but dip her head back, her long cobalt hair rippling as it came below the small of her back, where Shizuru still held her rocking hips.

The older woman, never letting her precision waver, gazed up to her face. She couldn't stop her eyes from hungrily watching Natsuki's face contort with pleasure; eyes closed under furrowed brows, flushed cheeks and parted lips. She felt the muscles contract around her invading fingers again.

"Shizuru! Ah! Ah!!" Though the feelings of such intense waves were overwhelming, she felt no traces of fear or loneliness like she had for so long. Then, she nearly cried out as the tip of a soft, warm tongue came to join the fingers. "Uhn! Ha-AH! Mnh!" Behind hooded lids, her green eyes peered down and watched Shizuru's head bob subtly back and forth, her face hidden beneath her hair.

"Natsuki, mnnhh…" Shizuru moaned softly as she lost herself in her love's natural taste and scent, the tip of her tongue continuing to caress whatever skin available and teasing the sensitive bundle of nerves. She could feel Natsuki's body begin to warm as sweat gathered around her palm against her back. She smiled she noticed Natsuki's knees about to buckle as they quivered from the loss of their strength and concentration.

The spring inside her stomach coiled tighter and tighter. Natsuki could feel is as moans and gasps burst from her lungs. "Shi-Ahh! Shizuru!" The rhythm and vehemence of Shizuru's fingers and tongue and lips made her hips rock and her head thrown back. Fingers repeated parted and separated her, stoking her rigid walls with even greater fervor. It felt as thought the very tips of Shizuru's fingers came to almost barely touch – teasing - the sensitive circle deep inside that tortured her, pleased her and set her body aflame. This was like nothing she'd ever thought it'd be; almost fulfilling and even just so beautiful despite the rather blunt actions against and within her. She held onto her wife's body as the flaming spring tightened to its limit, waves of heat soaring through her. "AH! Uhn… Mnh! Ah-Haa! I…" – inhale – "Mnh! Sh-Shizuru, I…!" Her nails dug deep into the shoulders she stooped her body to loop over Shizuru's head. "D… Don't let go…" It softly strangled out of her throat.

"I promise." Shizuru moaned, holding her tighter as she felt her fingers almost lose circulation at the hard convulsions around her wet and reddened fingers. The piercing at her shoulders made her wince but still she held her and she couldn't help but smile softly as she held the tensing body till the rolling waves subsided. The girl above her then slowly leaned her body forward, its weight almost too much to hold upright.

Her arms tightly around her, Shizuru, with as much strength as she could muster, gently eased her to lie down beside her. Natsuki was still panting hard. The younger girl forced her eyes open and reddened even more as she caught the sight of Shizuru - who was propped up on her elbow – taking her two glistening fingers and licked the cream from them. The sight seemed almost obscene yet, at the same time, not. Perhaps it was just the shock of watching her formerly-best-friend do something like that right before her eyes. Her mind was still having trouble registering certain things since she first felt the girl next to her touch her; she had forgotten for a moment that she had married this girl.

When Shizuru noticed she was being watched, she, with the tip of her finger still in her mouth, grinned and winked teasingly at the blushing girl. She laughed when Natsuki's eyes widened and instantly looked away. A few minutes passed, both were silent apart from the sounds of their breaths. The older woman traced her hand lovingly over Natsuki's naked abdomen, noticing the rise and fall of her chest beginning to slow to a comfortable pace.

'This almost does not even seem real.' Shizuru thought to herself, sighing contently as her eyes wandered over Natsuki's beautiful face and body. She wanted to ask her so many questions: How do you feel? Did I hurt you at all? Do you feel any regret? About anything?

Instead, she kept the questions to herself, afraid of spoiling this pristine moment. Natsuki's eyes had fallen shut, and as the minutes continued she waited for the indications of sleep from the younger girl. Shizuru knew that she probably will never allow herself to sleep that night. Natsuki's face, the way she looked in her afterglow… never a more beautiful sight.

The blue hair was in slight disarray with some strands falling over her face; her cheeks still had a hint of pink in them; a light sheen of sweat still remained across her neck, in the gully between her breasts and down along her stomach. Best of all, the expression on her face… she looked so happy in her own discreet way.

That alone answered her question as to whether Natsuki regretted anything; it lifted her heart so greatly she almost lost her breath. She never thought that she'd be given the chance to be in bed this way with her heart's desire, much less wear a ring of her eternal love for her on her finger. Every time she would catch it in her view, she couldn't help but gaze at it, elation growing in her heart. Shizuru inwardly laughed. Guess that ribbon she tied with Natsuki Kuga written on it at the public festival at Fuuka really fulfilled its task.

"Despite all that you said and did," It suddenly came from Natsuki's throat, startling the older woman out of her thoughts. "You were gentle with me." Her green eyes opened to Shizuru's warm smile. She smiled back before another thought came to mind, making her smile drop and her eyes look around during her more comprehensive thoughts. "Although, I might want to build up my stamina for the honeymoon; you just might kill me then." She smiled broadly as she earned a laugh. When Shizuru's delightful laugh subsided, Natsuki's expression grew more somber. "Thank you for not letting go." She said almost as soft as a hush, her cheeks pinking again as though embarrassed by saying six simple words that meant so much to her.

Her wife's smile grew even warmer then. "I would not have let Natsuki go even if she had asked me." The smile dropped only when she noticed the other girl's body quake a bit. Remembering that she was covered and her husband wasn't, she immediately reached down and pulled the covers up and over them to their shoulders. Once that was done, Shizuru's hand snaked back under to Natsuki's waist, bringing her closer. She laid her head on Natsuki's chest, over her heart. The gentle rise and fall as well as the soft rhythm of her heart were so soothing.

"I liked the way you looked when you walked down that aisle." Natsuki mentioned almost casually, suddenly needing to tell her. It was one of her favorite parts of the wedding - watching Shizuru come toward her down the aisle, her mother guiding her. The whole march seemed so slow and with each step she took, Natsuki's heart thundered harder and louder against her. She could even see Shizuru bite her lip anxiously passed her smile beneath her veil.

Shizuru giggled. "My favorite part was the look on your face when you slipped the ring on my finger, saying "with this ring, I thee wed." You looked so nervous and cute, like a child, and yet so certain and strong. I wanted so much to kiss you, but I knew I must wait until you were told to lift my veil." She paused for a minute, her mind drifting to the reception. "When I threw the bouquet, I was not expecting Yukino to catch it. Did you not see how both Yukino and Haruka blushed?"

"Yeah, but Yukino turned a lot redder than Haruka." Natsuki noted.

"I know, that's why I approached her and asked her if she had kissed Haruka yet."

Natsuki looked down at the ocher hair below her with a stunned look. "You what??" She could only imagine how red that girl must have turned.

Shizuru only laughed at Natsuki's reaction. "I must say she took the question rather well, if you overlook the stuttering, wildly slighting hand gestures and profusely-blushing face. She said that even though she cares for Haruka, her feelings like her are not like my feelings for you. I, however, beg to differ." Shizuru claimed with great certainty.

'She sounds almost as wickedly-eager as the day I was sick and she brought home that green onion… that was scary…' Natsuki thought, her eyes widening in terror at the last memory. She'd never look at a green onion without cringing again.

"I also thoroughly enjoyed the moment when you were required to remove my garter." Shizuru added a short time later, her smile growing wider as each second of the memory passed through her mind.

Natsuki groaned, removing her hand from Shizuru's back to run down her face. "Yeah, but I could feel your mother's eyes on me the entire time. It was kinda hard to keep my honorability in front of her while having my hands up your dress." She stated humorlessly.

Shizuru, on the other hand, couldn't stop giggling. "The stolid look about your face gave me that hint. You were so adorable, trying so hard." She chuckled. "You seemed to have the same problem when we danced together as husband and wife."

Natsuki's head shot up. "Hey! I thought I was doing pretty well!" She defended.

Shizuru looked up at the woman staring at her. "You were; you may just want to let me lead next time." She offered. When she was a child, she had eventually grown to master the more elegant of dances such as the more popular forms of the Waltz and the Foxtrot. Even though it was almost required for a bride and groom to at least learn the typical choreography, Natsuki wanted none of it for fear of making a fool out of herself in front of the class, no matter how small. "Perhaps we could experiment with some real dance classes?"

Natsuki's head fell back onto her pillow, releasing a hard sigh. "Oh shut up Shizuru."

Shizuru released her own soft sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Mnh, you are already starting to sound like a husband." She couldn't help but grin.

"Hey wait! What's that supposed to mean?" The offended girl looked back up at her again with an annoyed glare. Shizuru only gazed at her softly, the grin still playing on her face even as Natsuki continued to defend herself. "Hey, you know I don't mean to sound like some hard ass when I say things like that, but I'm just saying that I don't need some stupid classes to…" Natsuki was interrupted with a soft kiss, tender and loving. "To…" She kept trying to continue, but each gentle kiss immediately silenced her. It didn't sound as though she was going to push the older woman away so she could speak, as each word would come softer than the previous.

She felt the older girl slide on top of her body, one knee falling between her legs. "I love the way Natsuki feels against me." Shizuru murmured between kisses. "And I love being in her arms. If we learn to dance, I can do both, even when under public eye." She coaxed.

Natsuki smirked; oh her wife was a clever woman. "Shizuru," She started when given the chance from the older woman's entrancing lips. "You're going to stay in my arms one way or another - hence the reason why I wanted you to marry me - so I wouldn't worry about it." The kisses immediately stopped, and Natsuki smiled – she remembered.

Shizuru looked down at her. "I'm going to stay in your arms one way or another." 'That day at the park…' She couldn't help but giggle again, feeling tears gather and cloud her vision. "Natsuki," The tears seemed to alter her voice as her name came out somewhat hoarsely. "You are so sweet to me, it is almost cruel." She nestled her head beneath Natsuki's chin, her arms tightening around her, sniffling lightly.

Natsuki smiled as she caressed Shizuru's back with both of her hands. She had been waiting for the right moment to remind her of what Shizuru had promised her that day. Everything around them - the silence of the room, the soft feel of linen sheets and cashmere blankets, the diffused blue hue along each wall from the light of the moon, the warmth of Shizuru's body upon her made everything seem so peaceful. She could finally feel fatigue settling over her when she felt hands frisk along her body. Jade eyes shot open as she felt lips lovingly press against the area just below her collarbone.

"… Uh, Shizuru…? What…?"

"Mnh…" The predator above her sighed, her body almost squirming in slow motion against her. "Everything about Natsuki is so sweet and beautiful. Her heart, her mind, her body…" As if for emphasis, she finished breathily before lustily kissing and suckling on her skin as she moved down. "You make me desire you more with every word you speak and every movement you make."

"W-whoa, hey Shizuru! S-settle down!" Natsuki tried to pull the girl back up before disappearing beneath the sheets.

"Simply think of it as me helping to further develop your stamina for the honeymoon, Natsuki." Though Shizuru came back up from beneath the covers, her hands still laid themselves on Natsuki's smooth thighs. She pried them apart.

Natsuki's head fell exasperatedly onto her pillow. "You insatiable woman! At this rate, I might not even make it to tomorrow!!" She blushed despite her protests when Shizuru sat upright, the sheets upon her falling onto the bed behind her.

Shizuru smiled almost deviously as she brought one thigh over her own. "I merely need to feel you one more time, before the night is done. Just one more time, Natsuki." She solicited, her tone alluringly soft as she leaned her body over the girl's below her. She lifted one thigh over Natsuki's other, straddling the apex of Natsuki's own legs.

"What are you, working on my Will already so that when you kill me with your sexcapades you'll inherit everything??" Natsuki's accusing voice was heard from beyond the sliding door that led out to the balcony of the room.

"Oh! Natsuki is so mean! I would never do a thing like that!" Shizuru defended as the newly-wed couple's glass doorway to the room from the balcony retreated slowly further from view.

"I'm not so sure…" Natsuki muttered to herself albeit jokingly before all went quiet. Within minutes followed only the sounds of forgotten thoughts and dimensionless feelings:

"Shizuru… I lo…" the last word was impeded as a soft groan took its place.

A low, soft giggle came close behind. "Mmn, Natsuki… I love you too."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Just to clarify what happened there, in case some happened to be confused, the camera is basically zooming out slowly as the "curtains come down", leaving the young lovers to their "activities" hehe. And I know, I know, I never stated where the two were going for their honeymoon. But, I was afraid that saying where they would go would make others say, "ew, why there???" so you can decide where you think a cool place for them to go would be. I did have an image of them going horseback riding along a beach during twilight. Maybe even spontaneously race to some point in the distance and the loser would have to "treat" the other, hehe.

Throughout the thought of them doing their dance as husband and wife, I kept thinking of the songs At The Beginning by Donna Lewis and Richard Marx, and Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion. I Can't Help Myself by Bellatrax.

I actually had a bit more descriptive sentences planned in some parts but I decided perhaps I should save some for the sex scenes in later chapters ;P It may take me just as much time to write and post the next one because I'm only halfway through my first year of college and I wanna do good. I had planned so that I would post this at about the end of first semester and post the next one at the end of second semester (maybe only a little longer week-wise cuz of all the work I have to do – summer jobs to replenish money spent on speeding tickets (aheh… ;;) and retaking the motorcycle course to brush up on my skills since I haven't ridden in a year… things like that. Thank you for your support and patience:)