Chapter 27- Time Spent Together
Takasugi's eyelids slowly opened, cautious of the burning sunlight blasting in through the window. He looked down and saw Matako wrapped in his arms. The back of her head was resting against his neck. Shinsuke listened to her gentle breathing. He heard the precise hands of the clock turning. When she awoke, they might shower together and then order in breakfast. But after that, Takasugi would have to consider their situation.
Until she woke up…
He wanted to hear Matako's voice again and share her full company. But he rather she stayed asleep a while longer. At least that way, their time like this wouldn't be threatened. At least that way, he wouldn't have to drag her into what would follow.
"So the Shinsengumi couldn't get a word out of them?"
"It's not that. It simply seems none of them know his current location. After all, none of them, save one, were high ranking members."
"Perhaps we should take a visit down to the station and interrogate the prisoner ourselves."
"There's no need. We already have something good."
"Oh?"
"We've got sketches several of the other Kiheitai who weren't captured."
"Let me see them then."
One of the men handed the other a folder. The first man was a human with long red dreadlocks. He carried a katana with him. The second was an Amanto. He had the head of an eagle, with long black feathers and golden eyes. A sniper rifle hung off his back.
"Hmm." said the Amanto, "That's Shinsuke all right… But who's the blonde chick and the man with the shades?"
"That's the Red Bullet. Aka Matako Kijima. She's renting an apartment here in Edo. Hasn't been accessed in a while. The second is Bansai Kawakami. He has less of a low profile, being a producer for a record company and a famous swordsman. By the way, there's another photo in there."
"Oh I see." said the Amanto, "He looks like an average joe. Who is he?"
"Takasugi's driver. They've probably ditched the original car by now, but I'm sure he's still with Takasugi."
"So you intend to look for him? It'll take weeks to find any of them even with the Shinsengumi. I doubt they'll come out in public so wanted posters are mostly useless."
"Patience. That goes double since we're dealing with a mastermind like Shinsuke. To be safe we won't be utilizing the Shinsengumi. This is a hit job so we can't risk the cops beating us to it. We'll scope out for the driver. I also hear that Shinsuke uses a boat. If we check the channel we might find something."
"That's fine. But where is Reft?"
"Right here" said a third man. He was also an Amanto. He had the head and neck of a moray eel.
"So we have a plan Boshirou?" asked Reft.
"Yes. We have a lead."
Matako's wincing eyes opened to find Shinsuke sitting on the side of the bed. Matako rubbed her aching neck and moved closer to him. She embraced him warmly from behind and laid her head on his shoulder. Shinsuke smiled and grabbed hold of her hands.
Finally, he released her and reached for his pipe. He slipped it into his mouth for a moment. As he did, he seemed distant to her again. Matako wondered what was on his mind. Takasugi let out a sigh and turned to her.
"We should shower after what occurred last night. Don't you think?"
"Mmm. I could go for a warm shower."
"You'll be joining me then?" he asked
She said, "Yes! I'll go warm it up."
Before she could rush off, Shinsuke grabbed a hold of her wrist. Matako turned to him in surprise. She saw the grave expression on his face.
"I can't shower with these bandages on."
It took a moment for Shinsuke's meaning to fully register in her mind.
Matako said, "Shinsuke-sama…"
"You'll be the first person to see it since I lost sight. But Kijima, are you sure this is what you want?"
Matako put a hand to his cheek and said, "I don't mind. I want to see it."
Shinsuke seemed to relax slightly. He put his hand to the bandages and began to stroke them.
Matako watched intently as Shinsuke began to untie his bandages. Once they were undone, he crushed them in his hand. He leaned forward so Matako could do the rest. She slowly parted his bangs to see his scar. To her surprise, it was a fine line running slightly crooked up past his eye. His iris had gone pale around the scar. Kijima slowly stroked the wound with a finger.
Matako realized Shinsuke must have been anxious for a comment. She said, "It's not grotesque like I expected. It's actually kind of cool."
Shinsuke grinned and said, "I feel rather foolish you know. I knew you wouldn't mind and yet, I've hid it for so long that the thought of you seeing it was haunting."
"Thank you." she said, "I'm grateful for your trust. I wasn't expecting it… for you to open up so quickly. I'm really glad."
He smirked.
"Matako… I'm the one who's thankful."
Their eyes met right before Matako and Takasugi simultaneously leaned in to kiss. Their lips remained locked for a few seconds. Then they parted.
Matako heard Shinsuke turn on the shower and adjust it for a more gentle rain. Steam began to flow out of the glass room. The room became slightly more humid.
She found herself thinking, "I'm showering with Shinsuke-sama. Today I'm not meeting him here as his subordinate, but as his lover. At least, I hope that's what he sees me as."
Matako wondered if Shinsuke was only still doing this as a favor. She reminded herself that he had already done far too much for that to be true. Shinsuke had shown her his scar after all. Why should she question his intentions now? Kijima knew at least that he felt something for her, if not love. She would wait and hope for those three words.
A mischievous thought entered her mind. She walked forward bit, intending to get a clear view of Shinsuke's bare backside. Her gaze ran down the dip in his spine to his firm ass. His skin was fair and flawless, but nicely contrasted by the definition in his muscles. He turned around now and faced her. Slowly he stretched out his hand and his eyes displayed his invitation.
Showering together was peaceful and romantic. The entire time Takasugi held her in his arms, not once letting go.
As Shinsuke began to caress Matako gently, he said, "Sorry."
Matako looked up at Shinsuke and tried to speak despite the distracting sensations his fingers were providing her. "Shin-s-suke-sama?"
"Forgive me for all I've put you through. For involving you in this, for sending you against Kawakami, and—for making you wait so long."
"Shinsuke-sama…" she said lovingly, "I'm not sorry to have met you."
"And yet... I'm sorry to have taken so long to fall in love with you."
"You… love me?"
Her heart began to pound harder than she even believed possible. Matako hadn't expected his word so quickly. There wasn't a shred of doubt in her mind that he had meant them. The Shinsuke standing right in front of her had nothing to hide from the world. He had nothing to gain from lies or tactful sentences. His heart was right in front of her.
"I love you Matako Kijima."
Takasugi continued, "You've been my friend through all of this. It was your heart pouring out in front of me that reached me in my darkest hour. I know now that you'll stay by my side. We'll find redemption, even if it's far off. I can't say if we'll find happiness. Perhaps something like that is wasted on us. But, it's enough for me to simply have you here."
Matako said, "I swore that I would follow you didn't I? I don't intend to break that promise."
"And I don't intend to leave you. I promise we'll stay together... Matako"
Kijima still felt a bit surprised by his use of her first name. It was so intimate. A strong urge overtook her, hastened by Shinsuke's teasing. Without warning, she reached her hand around and started stroking his manhood. Matako felt Shinsuke stiffen for a moment and then become more aggressive in his fondling. She was glad, although not surprised, that he had caught on to her mood. She grabbed a hold of the shaft now and began to pump. It became impossible for her to ignore the feeling of his fingers dancing about her lower regions. Takasugi was both gentle and precise with every movement of his. Her legs buckled together from the pleasing sensation. She turned around now and kissed him. Her hands wandered about his stomach and thighs. Even though she had made love to him once before, she still couldn't get enough of his body. The love she felt for him only heightened this lust.
After a few minutes, Shinsuke took a step backward. Matako, knowingly, leaned forward and spread her arms out against the wall. Takasugi placed his hands on her ass and massaged her cheeks. Her body tightened as he began to enter inside of her. Shinsuke wrapped his hands around her chest. He began to thrust faster now and caressed her breasts as he did. Matako moaned and began to thrust with his same speed. Takasugi laid his chest over her back; his head came to rest beside her neck. She felt his hot breathe tickle her skin. In the same spot, he placed an affectionate kiss upon. Their bodies felt inseparable: sharing the same movement, the same breathe, and the same pleasure. Matako finally felt herself go over the edge. Her mind went completely blank as she let out an immodest cry. She was panting and her body collapsed onto the floor of the shower. Shinsuke knew his own climax was not far off.
He said, "Allow me to go on just a bit more."
Matako grinned and said, "Please do."
Shinsuke lay against the tile wall, away from the shower's stream. He brushed his wet bangs away from his eyes with a finger. He watched Matako place herself above his lap. She clutched onto his shoulders for support. She slowly lowered herself on top of him until she was fully impaled. She began to motion herself up and down. Shinsuke's heart began to pound rapidly as he felt her tighten around his manhood. His chest arched backwards and his legs trembled for a moment. In his excitement, he grabbed hold of her hips and began his own thrusting.
The couple decided to finish up in a position where Shinsuke could more easily pull out. Matako lay down on the shower floor and aimed her rear up into the air. She felt exposed now, but to him and him alone. She couldn't help but wait in anticipation for his touch. Shinsuke slid into her womanhood once again. They continued their love making for several more minutes until Takasugi's body could no longer hold back. After one last thrust, he withdrew. He let out a deep sigh and his load was lost in the water at their feet.
Kijima scooted into the corner of the shower now. She shut her eyes and listened to the noise of the water blasting down on them. She felt Shinsuke's hard shoulder rub against hers. She cherished this moment here with him. She knew full well time was running out.
Author's Note: I actually added the love scene at the end since one my reader's wanted it. Um... sorry if some people weren't wanting to read that sort of thing. Still, after all the buildup, I think some loving was in order.
