Kay, this is the final Chapter for the T rated bit. I will probably post the M rated epilogue tomorrow evening.

Sony Ninja: Thanks! I was getting a little worried that I'd ended up putting in too much background so that was a big encouragement! Hope you enjoy this chapter and the epilogue :D


Chapter 5: A Warm Mouth

Akira watched Yuna, wrapped in a brown fur jacket, running up the path to their dorms with a smile. It was December, five or six weeks on from the fire. The rest of that weekend had passed uneventfully. On Sunday evening Yuna had received a call from the hospital and Akira's mum had been on hand to drive them there and then onto the station afterwards. Yuna had spent five minutes with her dad before calling Akira in and introducing her. Yuna's dad, a large white bandage wrapped round his head, had given her a hug as well as his heartfelt thanks.

Since then they'd visited Akashi many times until at last he'd been discharged. He was currently living in rented accommodation until his apartment was fixed up. He was always kind and friendly so he and Akira had naturally warmed to each other quickly.

I can definitely see why Yuna cares for him so much. He is an amazing person, but Yuna...She lost sight of Yuna's figure from the window as she entered their building. We're as inseparable as Makie and Ako of late. I think I've become kinder, warmer and more open whilst she's become more mature and grown up whilst thankfully still retaining that childish love of life. Still though, of late more than ever, I miss her being as close as we were back then when she was in my arms. It somehow felt so right. Somehow I get the impression that she's holding back as well but I might be wrong and the fear of ruining what we have is too great.

Yuna's footsteps pounded up the final flight of stairs and the door burst open. Yuna stood there glowing with excitement.

"Say Akira, do you have plans for the Christmas hols? My dad's going on holiday for the week before Christmas and he said you were welcome to come."

The week before. Yes that should be fine. My parents are planning to take the week after Christmas Day off this year and go somewhere so it should be fine. Ah my heart is suddenly so light! This is the first time in a while we'll be properly alone for some time together.

"Yes, that sounds great!" She said as she moved over to the oven. "I've kept the dinner heated so it should be warm." Yuna had spent the last three weeks teaching her to cook after she had begun to protest that Yuna was doing all the cooking when they ate together. There was still room for improvement but like Yuna's swimming she'd come a long way.

"Ous!" Yuna cheered with fist raised high. "We should break out the champagne and celebrate our holiday."

Yuna knew a store that was rather lax at checking ID so had been experimenting by trying different types of alcohol under Akira's watchful eye. Akira nodded and smiled. Champagne would go down well tonight. So they toasted to the holiday ahead as outside the snow fell in a thick white blanket.


A week and a half later Akira found herself wading through a tropical jungle on a small island between Japan and Australia. How amazing is this! She thought in excitement. It transpired Yuna's dad owned a reasonable sized yacht which explained why he only lived in a small apartment and that a friend of his owned and leased a resort to him annually on a small Pacific Isle.

That island resort was a few hours away. Today Yuna had come to show Akira an old ruined temple that existed within the depths of this island. Akashi had remained on the boat working. He hadn't seemed particularly keen to come to this island at all in the first place.

As she ran behind Yuna, Akira couldn't help but feel that there was more to Akashi's reluctance than a mere dislike of the island and voiced her opinion to Yuna: Surprised when her companion slowed to a stop ahead.

"Ah, yeah, you don't know exactly how my mother died do you?" Yuna said. "She was caught underground in ruins by an earthquake and sealed in where dad couldn't reach her. Dad tried to get help but it wasn't fast enough. Since then he's avoided actually visiting ruins that lie below ground and turned much more to writing. He really didn't want me to visit them either but I have my mother's blood in me. I just can't help exploring! Besides, chances are I'll be fine!" She grinned, and started running ahead again, calling out,

"C'mon Akira! I want to make it there by lunch at least!"

They made it to the impressive and overgrown stepped entrance just after noon and sat down to eat their bento lunches beside it. As Akira ate hers she couldn't help but feel Yuna's cheerful mood was slightly strained.

"So what's in the ruins?" Akira asked cautiously as she swallowed a cucumber and carrot rice ball. Yuna finished gulping down some of her bottled water.

"Lots of big rooms, secret passages and old stone structures. It's a really mysterious place and it's also incredibly old. Another person dad knows owns the island and the ruins. Apparently they're not widely known of and he wants it to stay that way, which is why you had to sign that secrecy form earlier on the boat."

"Ahhh, kay." I did wonder about that. I guess the owner doesn't want the government to step in and make it a public attraction.

"It's vast though. I'm not sure anyone's fully mapped it out but I'm trying my hardest to. It was what my mother was working on before…Yeah anyway I felt I ought to carry it on. My dad worries too much." Yuna laughed but once again Akira felt it was slightly, well, off.

She's hiding something, something's troubling her. When she next looked up Yuna had slung off her rucksack and was drawing out various pieces of exploring equipment; a helmet with torch in-built, rope and various other items. She looked completely relaxed and at ease again and Akira wondered if she had simply imagined it.

I've grown to know her so well in the last few months and yet I still don't know her well enough. I wish I knew if something's wrong and how I could help. She followed Yuna's lead though and put on her own equipment. It felt rather cumbersome to have so many different bits and bobs dangling about as well as the encasing weight of the helmet but after a few minutes she got used to it, following Yuna up the steps into the first great hall.

The hall was beyond spectacular. Parts of the arching stone roof were missing allowing the jungle to creep through the holes between the ceiling and walls. The whole floor was a greenhouse of tropical plants and a pool had submerged the middle of the floor. At the far end more steps led up out of the water to a slightly clearer platform which in turn had two dark doorways behind it.

"That's where we need to head!" Yuna declared brightly, pointing to the doorways. So they made their way across the bright room, wading through the water in wellies and cutting through the undergrowth until they reached the right hand doorway. Pulling out a handmade map Yuna began tracing the routes she'd explored and where they were going to go this time. It didn't make much sense to Akira but she nodded and tried her best to remember where they were to travel.

Then they set off, heading deeper in. First they went down a winding twisting staircase and then along a dark tunnel past several dead end openings, through another door and down another long winding staircase. The air about them became increasingly musty and the stones seemed older and more worn the further down they went.

How vast is this place! And how old! Akira thought in amazement. So many strange symbols carved on the walls and so much mystery and potential. The chance to find something no-one has seen for generations. I can see why Yuna finds this exciting.

Her admiration increased as they entered a vast chamber with arched walls running around the edge and giant bluish stones rising from the center of the room in a circular ring. The stones were twice as high as a house and faintly phosphorus, luminous green lakes mingling with pale blue ones across their surfaces. Even with their lights fully on and pointing forwards though they couldn't see the other side of the room. Around them the walls and floor was a vibrant gleam of coloured mosaic depicting runic symbols, sprawling animals, rocks and plants.

Yuna smiled at seeing Akira's admiring gaze searching the room.

"Do you like it?"

"Yeah, it's incredible..." Yuna clapped her hands.

"Isn't it! It's what I love about exploring. Coming across so many amazing things and never knowing what you might find next. Say we should have a photo by those rocks!"

Yuna pulled out a camera specially adapted for the dim light and they went over to the stones, turning off their lights as the stones illumination was enough to spotlight them in the darkness. The two stood there as the camera light began flashing very quickly, arms about each other's shoulders as they posed for the shot.

So close to her, but is this as close as we get? I don't think I'll ever have the courage to take things further, to take the first step, Akira thought. Her smile tainted with doubt and regret, quickly replaced by an annoyed frown. I'm pretty sure she's making bunny ears behind my head! Wha?

A small quiver ran through the floor and shook the camera. There was a flash as the camera took the picture but neither girl was looking at it. A second larger shudder ran through the floor, shaking them. Akira switched on her helmet torch.

"Is it an earthquake, Yuna?" A larger shudder ran through the room and in the distance there was the crumbling sound of distant stones being dislodged. A stream of dust flowed to the floor in the light of Akira's beam. Akira suddenly became aware that Yuna had neither answered nor switched on her own torch beam. Swinging her head round to illuminate Yuna she saw her white as a sheet with eyes closed and shaking like a leaf; arms wrapped tightly about her body.

"Yuna?" She asked in concern. She hadn't seen Yuna worried like this since that fateful day when she thought her dad might die. Yuna still didn't respond. Somewhere nearby a brick dislodged from above and crashed to the floor as another large tremor shook Akira and made Yuna sway dangerously. Akira reached out and steadied her, glancing about.

It's not safe to be exposed. There looks to be a small cleft in the giant rock a few meters along. That ought to protect us from the falling masonry at least. Let's hope we can make it in time.

She gripped one of Yuna's hands in her own and shouted in Yuna's ear above another loud tremor,

"Come with me!"

The forceful command seemed to work because Yuna's feet obeyed her and followed her to alcove. Akira swung Yuna in ahead of her with Yuna's back against the glowing rock. Then Akira pressed in as close as she could to Yuna to escape from the dust and pebbles raining down from above, arms wrapping round Yuna's back. She gasped as she felt Yuna's own arms wrap tightly about her and felt Yuna's head bury itself into the crook of her neck.

"Don't go!" Yuna cried out desperately. "Please don't leave me here." Another large tremor ran through the floor and then a lesser one. More rocks bounced and pinged about the chamber and far off there was another distant roar as a section of the stone archway that ran about the room crumbled.

"I won't" Akira whispered back into Yuna's ear as she held her securely, shielding her from harm. Behind her she heard a patter of rocks rain upon the floor somewhere in the direction of where they had been standing and a few hit the ledge above them, causing Yuna to choke out a sob of terror. Another rain of small pebbles clattered down behind Akira's back, but now the tremors were subsiding and within twenty seconds ended completely.

They remained in each others arms for some time after that though, neither wanting to move. Yuna's body still trembling and eventually in the stillness she managed to stutter an explanation.

"You must think me so silly Akira. I...It's just that I was down here with my father when mother died. I remember the darkness, the tremors and the fear in father and mothers cries before. I've had nightmares occasionally of being alone and then being trapped. " Yuna took a deep, jittery breath. "I'm...I'm not sure if I can move Akira. I'm so scared it will start again. I don't want to die like mother did."

"You won't!" Akira replied fiercely. Because I'd do everything in my power to prevent it and if worst came to worst be with you till the end! She felt Yuna's trembling ease a little at her words but Yuna was still in shock. I need to snap her out of it. Ah!

The thought had tormented her for some time, but now at least she had an excuse for doing it if Yuna pushed her away and rejected it. Well either way it ought to work, she thought with a grim inner chuckle.

"Yuna, look at me!" Surprised by the firm assurance in Akira's voice Yuna lifted her beautiful, tear filled, hazel eyes into Akira's deep blue ones.

"Yes?" she whispered. Akira's eyes were filling her vision all of a sudden. She wondered if it was a trick of the torchlight until a pair of warm lips brushed her own. Then their lips were pressing and moving slowly against the others. Akira's own apprehension washing away as she realised that far from pushing her away Yuna was in fact responding to the kiss.

She let her tongue briefly brush Yuna's lips. So soft. If only this moment were to last for all eternity! No. Not the time for this now! We must escape here in case there's a second tremor so now is not the time to be hanging about.

It was quite possibly the hardest thing she'd ever done, but she managed to pull away from Yuna who stood wide eyed and, possibly a first for Yuna, stunned. Akira grabbed her hand again and, god knows how, managed to keep her voice steady.

"Can you move now?" Yuna just nodded dazedly, too surprised to even blush. "Then let's get out of here. I'll keep you safe." So leading the way Akira traced the way back to the surface. There were a few minor rock-falls on the way but the route was reasonably clear. Yuna clung tightly to Akira's hand and giving the odd direction until they emerged out into the almost surreal, sunny and pleasant great hall. There Yuna let go but didn't say anything, just following Akira and once touching a finger to her lips when Akira wasn't looking. They made it out of the hall down the steps and into the forest safely before Akira collapsed against a tree, worn out mentally and physically. Yuna too collapsed to the soft floor in front of her, sitting down with legs outstretched and both removing their helmets and gear.

Neither spoke for a few minutes and the silence started to become a little awkward. Akira finally worked up enough courage to ask the question that was bothering her.

"Yuna..." At hearing her name spoken Yuna jumped slightly but relaxed as Akira continued. "I get that you love exploring but if you're so afraid of being trapped by a rockfall why do you still explore underground? There are plenty of other places." Yuna blinked and sighed.

"Yeah I know. My dad said the same thing but that would be giving into my fear wouldn't it? And I can't back down when I set myself a challenge. This is where my mother was working and if she wasn't afraid to come and work here I have to overcome my fear and continue the work she started." Yuna gave a short laugh. "Still I'm pretty unlucky with earthquakes. That's only the second one here since mum died and I was such coward." Akira automatically sprung to her defence.

"You're not! To keep on tackling your fears like you do means you have incredible courage Yuna! Remember that day we went to the zoo? You came right back at that lion even though it scared you at first and ever since then I've watched you mastering new things and challenges. The brave aren't the ones without fear but those who learn to master it by not giving up. I really admire you for that."

As she finished Akira suddenly realised just how passionately she'd been speaking and started to blush. It also seemed to trigger the memory of the kiss in Yuna's mind because her finger rose back towards her lips and she glanced at Akira's frame resting against the tree.

"Ummm, about...I mean the kiss, do you...?" Then almost as if Akira's own words had suddenly taken root in her mind she scrunched her eyes shut, took a deep breath and looked Akira directly in the eyes.

"Akira, I think I'm in love with you. Would you go out with me?" As she spoke the words Akira felt as though she was weightless. It was something she'd barely allowed herself to dream of in recent weeks. The memory of their kiss was still fresh in her mind and it seemed that the imp in her mind who'd persuaded her to kiss Yuna in the ruins was on a roll because another mischievous idea popped into her head.

"Only if you can deliver a better kiss than the one I gave below," she said, pressing her arms down into the ground and stretching slightly to hide her apprehension at her boldness. Yuna's blush doubled but her eyes gleamed with longing and her mouth broke into a smile as slid onto all fours, her curving figure perfectly framed by a dipping V-neck black T-Shirt that didn't quite reach her tight camouflaged shorts. She moved forwards lithely and purred,

"Are you sure you can handle that?"

Akira watched her face approach, hypnotised as Yuna's hands slipped up her back under her own half-buttoned navy blue shirt to hold her shoulders as Yuna's body slipped against hers and pressed her firmly against the tree trunk. Yuna's knees rested either side of her own and Yuna's tomboyish face stopped inches from hers.

"Ready?" Yuna asked with a grin. Akira nodded but it was a lie. I'm not sure I have a clue how good this is going to be. How the hell can I be ready with my heart raci...Mmmmmmphhh!

Yuna's face had closed in and she felt Yuna's lips pressing against her own with a passion that sent tingles racing throughout her body and sparks shooting within her lips. Yuna's hands tightened their hold on Akira's shoulders as her mouth pressed ever further against Akira's and her head tilted slightly to get a better angle. Akira could feel Yuna's sizeable bust jostling her own and could feel Yuna's moist warm tongue gently running along her lips then pressing and squeezing between them to dance with her own.

Her tongue is slipping over mine. Behind my teeth and running along the inside of my cheek. Back with my tongue and around. Ahhh! My heads on fire, my body's on fire. So much burning electric energy, this must be desire! I want her, all of her, to be inside of her!

With disappointment she felt Yuna's tongue pull away and when she opened her eyes after a few seconds to let her mind calm down she saw Yuna eyeing her with a questioning look.

"Well, was that good?" Akira gave a sigh of mock disappointment.

"Too good. I didn't stand a chance. Guess I'll just have to go out with you after all." Yuna's response was to move in again and deliver a kiss that lingered far longer and was somehow even more satisfying and arousing. Akira gasped as Yuna again pulled away and her gaze drifted downwards to Yuna's chest, this time unashamedly.

"So you have been gazing at them!" Yuna exclaimed triumphantly. "Does that mean you found me attractive right back at the start of term then?" Akira blushed.

"Yeah, since the day we went to the zoo I've been thinking how attractive you were. At least from time to time, but I didn't want to risk ruining the friendship we had." Yuna laughed.

"We are a pair of sillies cos I've had those thoughts for at least as long. Perhaps its best we only found out now though as we've had time to learn to love each other's personality without it making things too awkward. Hmmm. You know, since we're being so open then you wouldn't mind me saying that there's very little stopping me from taking you right here and now, right?"

Akira felt her heart skip several beats. "Only I should probably let my dad know we're okay as he'll be worrying and he'll want us back as soon as possible," Yuna finished regretfully.

Akira felt her stomach drop at the last few words. I know it's all happening so quickly. Some people might think too quickly, but it doesn't feel that way. After all we've been good friends for sometime and close friends for a couple of months. I guess different people just need different amounts of time to be comfortable with...it, but in my case I really want to be as close and as intimate with Yuna as soon as possible! I've been starved of warmth for so long after all.

Yuna noticed Akira's face fall slightly and misread what it meant. Suddenly her cheeky confident demeanor vanished again to expose her more vulnerable soul beneath.

"Ah, I'm sorry,.I was a bit too forward I guess. I mean I wasn't thinking of how fast you want things to go and we only just kissed." Her face quickly flushed red and she drew back slightly.

Oh boy! I love both sides of her so much! Her confident positive side and her vulnerable, scared side. One brings me joy and the other the purpose of protecting her.

Akira's arms that had come to rest on Yuna's back during the kissing stopped Yuna retreating and then she moved her middle right finger round to place it on Yuna's mouth. A new idea had occurred to her. Geez, my inner imp must be doing overtime today. I guess this is what comes from opening up to the one you love.

"Shhh! Since I lost the last bet I'm prepared to make another winner takes all wager." She removed her finger and had to try very hard not to giggle. It was so rare to see Yuna so shocked, surprised and flustered so many times in one day.

"Ready?" She asked and Yuna nodded. "Then you have until the end of this holiday to make love to me. If you win you get me for life, if you lose then you're getting no more homework help for the rest of the year. But don't think I'll give myself up that easily. I expect some world class wooing if you're to win my heart."

Well that's kind of a lie but there's no harm in making it sound difficult. I have a feeling it will only spur Yuna on to try harder.

Yuna's face melted from worry to surprise to delight and her eyes positively shone with excitement. Wow! How can she be saying exactly the right things to excite me? And I always thought she was the completely innocent one out of us! Well this is a challenge I'm definitely not backing down from! Her arms slid out from under Akira's shirt as she whispered, complete with a mischievous smile.

"Are you sure about this?" Akira gazed back with her heart racing but voice remarkably steady.

"I'm sure."

Okay, I have no idea how I'm gonna be able to hold out for any length of time here but I must try. I kinda feel the longer I manage to hold out for the more amazing the end will be anyway.

Yuna licked her lips and rose up from the ground. Then she began walking over to her gear to collect it up and as she did said with relish and a cheeky wink,

"Then prepare to be wooed beyond anything anyone's ever experienced before!"

Akira chuckled, grateful to see Yuna's bright self once again to the fore. As she rose beneath the late afternoon sun to collect her own gear she thought of all that had happened in the last few months between them.

It's all felt so right. There's been gradual and sudden progress but in all of it we've fed off the others strength to survive our own weaknesses as though we're fated to be together.

She packed the last of her gear away and slung the backpack over her shoulder. Looking up she saw Yuna framed in the golden sunlight watching and waiting for her with the same look of intense love that she felt smouldering within her own eyes. Happily she strode over and slipped her hand into Yuna's and they set off into the jungle laughing and talking; their souls drawn so much closer by the loving intimacy born from the still, cold, crumbling ruins behind them.