AN: Hey all, I am back after another long hiatus! You all have LunaLight114 to thank for this. She DM'd me and managed to kickstart my mojo for this fic. Not only that, but she graciously offered to edit this chapter and she is amazing! It's been great fun messaging back and forth and I can't thank her enough for her help and support.

It's been simultaneously one of the best and worst years of my life. After moving to school nursing (officially part of a school and not just doing 1:1 with a kiddo) and gaining much needed time and control over my life, my husband and I started trying to have a baby. So far, we haven't been successful due to a bout of Long Covid Mast Cell Activation for myself which resulted in a ridiculous sensitivity to Tyramine foods, especially while on fertility medications—which I diagnosed myself after 5 ER visits, and tests that were probably unnecessary if they hadn't been convinced it was "anxiety." In fact, the Propanolol they had me on for the fast heart rate potentially could have killed me because of the Tyramine issue. I am now lucky enough to not be on any medications and have even begun to eat a more normal diet as the symptoms of the covid triggered MCAS/Tyramine sensitivity have lessened after stopping the fertility medications. Even though fic writing again fell by the wayside so I could focus on the food thing, I have actually finished writing my YA Fantasy trilogy! I am in the process of hiring editors and will hopefully be publishing at least the first book this year if everything goes smoothly. I hope to post links to that once it is available. :)

Art of Love

Chapter 21

By: Red Courage

Nuriko couldn't believe he'd broken the chair. He'd barely even touched it! He didn't miss Tasuki and Chichiri sharing a look of alarm from across the kitchen. Shame colored his cheeks as he set the broken chair aside while Miaka spoke with Tamahome. Damn, if he couldn't control his strength in a small fit of pique, how was he ever going to control himself with Miaka?

He didn't need to see it in his brother Seishi's faces to know what they were thinking. The majority of them had been on the receiving end of a blow or two and had been knocked flat; What if he hurt her?

Despite their similar height and his own slim build, Miaka was so fragile compared to him. He could literally snap her in two if he wasn't careful. Could he manage to control himself tonight?

"Nuriko." Hotohori's soft yet stern tone broke him out of his shame spiral long enough to meet the other man's eye. Where Nuriko expected judgement, he found only understanding. Nuriko supposed that wasn't surprising coming from the one who'd once practically killed Tamahome to protect Miaka from physical harm. "Miaka trusts you. Please, trust yourself."

Hotohori's words melted Nuriko's doubts with their sincerity. The other man's support meant the world to Nuriko even if Miaka herself seemed to have absolutely no fear of him. She never had. When Nuriko had blatantly challenged her as a rival for both Hotohori and Tamahome's affections, and even slapped Miaka, the tiny spitfire had given as good as she got even after seeing the extent of her Seishi's powers.

Nodding gratefully at Hotohori, Nuriko smiled at the memory—he hadn't expected Miaka to actually hit him. She'd been so meek and accommodating up until then, so the resounding slap to the cheek had been quite a surprise; Almost as if she'd absorbed and rebounded his power right back at him.

Now, with their current situation, Nuriko could only hope Miaka would be as resilient in bed.

Miaka finally finished speaking with Tamahome and immediately descended upon the breakfast spread. After loading her plate with various foods and engaging with the others in a bit of small talk, she made her way over to Nuriko seated at the table. "Is this seat taken?" she asked teasingly, sliding into the unbroken chair on Nuriko's other side.

"I thought you'd never ask."

The rest of breakfast passed without Nuriko breaking any more chairs. He still couldn't figure out how he'd damaged the first one—he'd barely even touched it! It helped that Miaka was finally giving him the majority of her attention even though the rest of the Seishi certainly vied for it occasionally throughout the meal.

Nuriko found himself constantly biting his tongue. While he and Miaka had finally broken out of what Nuriko now thought of as, "Just Girl-Friends" Hell, it was clear the other Seishi still didn't respect his time with Miaka in quite the same way they respected each-others.

As usual, Miaka's plate was loaded with a little bit of everything and she'd already managed to pack away most of it between snippets of conversation with Nuriko and the others. Distracted by Tasuki's antics, a piece of fruit laden with whipped cream missed its mark, smearing some of the topping across Miaka's cheek and lips.

"Ope!" Miaka reached for her napkin.

In a bold move, Nuriko leaned over, gripping her chin with one hand to turn her towards him. "I got it." Reaching out with his other hand, Nuriko used his fingers to wipe Miaka's cheek, followed by a brush of his thumb against her lower lip to remove the rest. He proceeded to lick each digit clean, keeping his eyes on Miaka's the entire time.

Miaka made a soft sound, swallowing reflexively as she stared back at him. Nuriko's soul sang in satisfaction. He'd always enjoyed picking on Miaka, eliciting a range of reactions from overtly scandalized to playful. He knew getting her attention this way was childish at times, but today the urge to keep her attention on him and only him was strong.

Now that Nuriko was 'allowed' to feel and show his emotions towards their Priestess, he wanted everyone to know he was a force to be reckoned with. In Every. Way. Possible.

He wasn't shy like Chiriko, nevertheless, Miaka's attention was constantly in demand from the other Seishi whether they intended it or not. Snippets of conversation between the others either distracted Miaka, or someone would ask her opinion on something. Still, she always returned to him no matter what. They chatted amicably until Miaka eventually rose, excusing herself to take the required purifying bath.

"Take your time!" Nuriko called after her, forcing a jaunty tone as her light footfalls ascended the open stairway.

Kidnapping Miaka for the day was stupidly easy.

Well. Truthfully, Nuriko couldn't call it kidnapping since the other Seishi were more than happy to help him the way he'd helped them. He'd expected them to argue that Miaka shouldn't leave the house. Taitsukun had all but forbidden her from working this entire week, however, all his fellow warriors supported the idea of taking Miaka out for the afternoon.

Chiriko was particularly agreeable. "She's been cooped up in this house for almost a week. She needs a break!" He hadn't gotten dressed yet and his hair was still delightfully mussed from the night before, sending a bolt of pride through Nuriko.

"Good idea!" Tamahome nodded, seconding the motion with far more enthusiasm than Nuriko expected.

Everyone voiced various suggestions for their outing, promising by the time Nuriko and Miaka returned the rest of them would be long gone.

When Miaka finally emerged from her room, Nuriko was more than ready to get going. His eyes ate her up as she made her way down the steps in a pleated skirt and a modest knit shirt that still emphasized her shape. He imagined running his hands up her thighs and tugging her against him…

He shook his head fiercely. Not the time for that! He pulled her with him towards the door only to be accosted by Chichiri.

Nuriko's grip tightened on Miaka's wrist as though afraid the monk would try and take Miaka from him.

"Just be careful, Chichiri intoned, his voice almost a whisper. The seriousness in his voice a sharp contrast to the ever-cheerful mask. "Remember, Miaka is housing a great deal of energy."

Forcing a tight smile, Nuriko nodded. He understood what was at stake and didn't intend to mess things up. Bundling Miaka out the door he called over his shoulder cheerfully, "Toodles!"

"Are we taking your car?" Miaka asked, eyeing the bright yellow convertible.

"Absolutely!"

The two of them piled into the car and Nuriko took off, flying down the streets with one of the two loves of his life at his side. Unfortunately, the shopping district he'd decided to go to was much busier than usual. After circling the block at least twice without finding a parking space, Nuriko upended another car to make room for his own, much to the chagrin of the other vehicle's owner and Miaka's amusement.

Once parked, Nuriko took her hand, guiding her towards who-knew-where. The two of them window shopped between sharing memories and chatting idly. Suddenly, Nuriko stopped short—causing Miaka to run into him and bounce off dramatically, almost falling over in the process.

"Ouch! Hey, give a girl a warning next time!"

Nuriko didn't answer. Instead, he stood frozen. Curious, Miaka leaned around him to see what was the matter. A little girl was heading towards them walking a large fluffy white dog on a leash. "Aww! Isn't he cute?" Miaka was immediately enamored with the animal, watching in adoration as the little girl and the dog passed by.

When Nuriko still didn't answer, Miaka glanced up at his face, surprised at the expression of fear on his still features. "Are you okay?" she asked, brushing a hand along his arm.

Nuriko blinked, shaking himself as he watched the dog leave. "Yeah. I just… don't like dogs." Nuriko swallowed, his voice strained in the struggle to keep his composure. "Especially big ones."

"Oh?" Miaka scrunched her face in confusion. Why would Nuriko, of all people, be afraid of a cute fluffy dog? Nuriko could see the thoughts running through her head. He was the strong one. A dog, even a large one was no match for his super strength. He'd fought a werewolf, and won! Right before… And there it was. The shock of realization caused her shoulders to sag. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah." Nuriko took her hand, despite the slight shaking of his own, and pulled her away, entering a pricy looking boutique. Forcing a cheerful demeanor, he began grabbing items off the racks. "Oh, wow, look at this…"

"Nuriko…"

Nuriko ignored her, continuing to grab various items of clothing. They weren't exactly in the right place to have a heart to heart. And what was the best way to avoid deeply held feelings of fear and anguish? Shopping.

Luckily, Miaka seemed to understand and submitted to being treated like a doll for the next twenty minutes, trying on the outfits Nuriko chose for her and coming out to model them. Unfortunately, retail therapy was doing nothing to sooth Nuriko's nerves. In fact, he was becoming increasingly frustrated as nothing he'd chosen seemed to fit his lovely priestess the way it should. Was he losing his edge?

"That blouse doesn't suit you." Nuriko frowned, rubbing a hand over his jaw in annoyance.

"It doesn't?" Miaka looked down at herself, turning to try and see what was wrong with the outfit in the full length mirrors provided.

"No. Here. Let me show you." Hastily, Nuriko herded Miaka back into the changing room, crowding in behind her and closing the curtain with purpose. "See?" Miaka bit back a gasp as Nuriko reached around, cupping her breasts firmly. "The way the fabric falls makes you look flatter than you are." He tugged the fabric to and fro, trying to determine if there was a way to easily fix the problem as he scrutinized Miaka's form in the mirror, his face cradled between her neck and shoulder where he could hear her make a soft swallowing sound.

The situation was strongly reminiscent of their stolen moments back at the manor. Groaning, he slid his hand into her bra to cup a breast, weighing it and baring it to the air. With a hiss he lowered his head and lifted her breast to his mouth. "Mmm." He hummed, closing his eyes in indulgent pleasure.

"Nuriko! Cut it out!" She laughed, playfully attempting to push him away. 'We're in public."

"So?" The hand holding her breast to his mouth squeezed, pinching her nipple soundly and causing her to gasp as the other crept up her thigh to slip under her skirt. Nuriko's lips brushed quickly up her neck to cover her mouth, his tongue sweeping across hers in a flood of emotion.

Miaka's hands went from pushing him away to pulling him closer, one tangled in his hair and the other covering the hand at her breast. "I want," his free hand slipped past the barrier of her skirt to tug her panties down her hips til they fell to the floor. "Everyone," His hand slid back up and into her curls, encountering quickly gathering moistness. The two of them kissed hungrily as he began to stroke. "- to know." His fingers circled her swollen bud as it began to open, creeping slowly deeper until Miaka bucked her hips and seated him firmly within her depths with a moan. Skillfully, he pumped in and out until the heat she generated began to scald him.

He was buried knuckle deep inside her, feeling her clench down on him in a delightful fashion his dick could only dream about—for now. Pulling her back against him, he slid his barely covered erection against her backside to relieve some of his own tension, hissing, "That's it."

Her legs began to shake, twitching uncontrollably. Miaka bit down on the heel of her hand in an attempt to stifle her own moans. "Just a little more." Nuriko chuckled, pulling back so his fingers danced across her flesh lightly for a moment before sliding back inside her with renewed vigor and an extra digit.

"You're so close," he murmured, his fingers massaging her insides, searching for that hidden knot of pleasure until…

The floor beneath them rumbled, pitching the two of them to the ground.

"Miaka!" Nuriko wrapped himself around his Priestess, covering her body with his own, his hand trapped between her thighs as he prepared to take the brunt of any impact from the sudden quake. Miaka gasped, but whether it was from fright or the fact that her body was still clenching against him with her dripping heat, he couldn't tell.

There were several crashes from outside and a sharp crack as a line ran straight through the mirror in front of them. Nuriko clutched Miaka to him, finally managing to remove his hand from her center as her pleasure ebbed and released him. The two of them lay there a moment until the shaking stopped, panting with exertion and fear.

When they were sure the danger had passed, they took a moment to collect themselves. Each assuring the other they were okay. Miaka quickly tugged her underwear back on with a grimace at her still damp state.

"What the hell was that?" Nuriko hovered over Miaka as they exited the dressing room to see shelves and other various items strewn across the shop floor. Japan was well known for its occasional earthquakes, but this one had felt… different.

"Chichiri did tell us to be careful," Miaka shot Nuriko a guilty look. "Do you think we caused it?" Her cheeks reddened.

Nuriko stared at her, then scanned the upended shop at a loss for words, normally being the cause of such destruction as unintentionally as this was. Well, to be fair, he was still the cause this time.

"We should get back to the manor." Miaka's voice broke Nuriko from his half-guilty half proud musing.

The drive back was tense, the lingering heat in Miaka's belly and the dampness between her legs a constant reminder of their shame. Neither of them was sure how much was too much closeness outside of the ceremony or manor until after the wishes were made. Sure, the small quake may have been a total coincidence, but Miaka couldn't shake the idea it was a sign—no one outside the store seemed to have noticed a thing.

Biting her lip, Miaka asked, "How much trouble do you think we're in?"

"Hopefully, none." Nuriko muttered as he pulled up to the manor with a screech of tires that made them both grimace.

True to their word, the other Seishi were nowhere to be found and the manor was spotless from their morning meal. Not even Chichiri had stuck around to scold them about the dangerous game they'd played in the shop, soothing Miaka's fears.

Perhaps the small quake had been a coincidence after all.

But Miaka wasn't in the mood to take any chances.

"I think it's time, Nuriko." She grasped his hand, giving it a squeeze.

Nuriko gripped her back, giving her a serious nod. "Give meet twenty minutes or so and meet me in my room."

Miaka agreed, heading to her own room to freshen up after their outing. She rinsed herself off, though it did nothing to quell the roiling heat in her belly, and changed into a matching black bra and panty set that was incredibly uncomfortable to wear on a day to day basis but made her figure look fantastic. Turning back and forth critically, Miaka slipped on a sexy kimono style robe she'd had for years and never had an occasion to wear. Just because they were going to be naked soon didn't mean she shouldn't put in some effort, right?

She dawdled a few moments more, spritzing on some perfume and touching up her face knowing Nuriko would appreciate it. He was likely doing the same thing for her. She could sense his excitement from here—a sparkling fluttering of his aura. She pulled her senses back apologetically. Her abilities had grown immensely, and she wasn't sure how Nuriko felt about her casually spying on him from down the hall. An image flickered through her mind of Nuriko back in the Palace Seraglio and the insane attention to detail he'd often put into his appearance as a woman.

That image was closely followed by one of Nuriko seducing Hotohori in full concubine regalia. The two of them kissed passionately, fondling one another through their layers of robes as they fell into the sheets and then beckoning her to join them. While she wasn't sure how Hotohori felt about it, she had no doubt Nuriko would be into something of the sort in the future.

Miaka shook her head, trying to suppress the way her aura pulsed with sudden desire. Suzaku she'd turned into exactly what her brother had feared: A sex maniac! "Don't get ahead of yourself. Finish the ceremony."

Barefoot, Miaka fluffed her hair one last time and headed to Nuriko's room.

If this ceremony had done one thing, it had significantly increased her confidence in herself in a very short amount of time. Knowing seven heavenly warriors found you all kinds of attractive and wanted to sleep with you tended to do that. Had it really been just two weeks ago she was terrified of making out with one of them? Of even touching them?

And now she was having random fantasies about having more than one of them at once.

Suzaku, you've created a monster, she thought humorously. Her aura already flaming around her in anticipation. Nuriko and she had been dancing around each other the last two weeks, and now she was finally going to get to see if he could put his money where his mouth was.

"Nuriko!" She knocked gently, opening the door just enough to see the lights dimmed and for a wave of incense to waft into the hall. Once again, she was amazed at his speed and proficiency with getting things like this done.

"Come on in!" Nuriko called, and Miaka slipped inside, closing the door gently behind her and squinting.

Thick blackout curtains were drawn, casting the room into darkness. Her Seishi perched on the edge of his bed in the dim light, already undressed except for a baggy pair of sleeping pants that did nothing to hide the blatant excitement between his legs. His aura glowed like a hot coal, his pale torso reflecting the low red light provided by the incense and a lone candle on the dresser as the musky haze swirling around him. His hands were folded neatly on his lap, sheathed by a pair of gloves? And was that a small vest?

Miaka's breath caught in her throat, meeting Nuriko's hooded gaze from across the room as he shifted, his shoulder muscles pulling tight with his gloved hands clasped…no. Those were ropes. His hands were tied in front of him with cords of thick black rope.

"What?" He shot her his most well practiced innocent look.

Miaka glanced to the side table where he'd laid out a variety of toys. Nothing too crazy that Miaka could see, just a feather, flavored dust, vibrators, a pair of fluffy handcuffs... And several more lengths of coiled rope.

"What's all this?" She fingered a length of rope, raising an eyebrow in question.

"That's for me," Nuriko flushed, his hair falling across his forehead in sudden shyness. "Not you. Unless you want it?" He glanced up, his breath coming in shallow pulls.

Was he…nervous? Miaka frowned, or having second thoughts?

"You want me to tie you up?" Miaka gaped. She'd always thought Nuriko would prefer to be the one in charge of this sort of situation. The rope binding him formed a pair of gauntlets from wrist to elbow, the pair of them yoked together to keep his arms immobilized. Separate from this, was an intricate pattern of loops and knots forming a sort of harness over his chest. Miaka's breath hitched; it really was a work of art.

When Miaka just stared at him he shrugged helplessly, finally admitting, "I don't want to hurt you. I figure if I'm restrained, there's less of a chance of that happening." Nuriko's cheeks grew pinker, his gaze lingering on hers. "Do you trust me?"

"Nuriko…." Of course, the answer was always yes. She trusted her Seishi with her life. "You know I do." Nuriko was the type to have something up his sleeve though, and THAT worried her. Was this some sort of joke? A trick maybe?

He swallowed, his pretty features tight. "I need to hear you say it."

"I trust you," Miaka put all the truth she could muster into her words, coming to stand between his knees. Gently, she stroked a hand over his jaw and down to rest over his heart. "I trust you with my body, my life, and my heart."

Nuriko trembled, his eyes tearing at Miaka's words. Hearing the affirmation he'd always wanted and needed was almost better than the release he knew was waiting for him at the end of the ceremony. Miaka had dressed up for him, and he was suddenly glad he'd gotten himself restrained a moment before she entered. If not for them he'd already be on her. "Good." He took a steadying breath as the ropes creaked. "Now if you'll follow my directions, Priestess, we can begin our part of the ceremony."

Miaka clucked her tongue at his authoritative direction. "Shouldn't I be in charge since you're the one all tied up?"

A thrill rolled through Nuriko's nethers. So she was willing to play with him? A smirk tugged at his lips and Nuriko tossed his hair, purring out a challenge, "If you think you can handle it, by all means, take charge!"

Miaka paused, giving him a narrow eyed but playful glare before her shoulders slumped in defeat. "All right then, tell me what to do."

Patiently, Nuriko directed Miaka to lace the remaining jute coils through the gauntlets. Obediently, she leaned over him as she worked, her robe falling open to tease him as the silken fabric whispered along his skin. Once that was done, she looped the jute around the solid headboard, pulling his bound hands taut over his head as he lay sprawled across the bed at her mercy.

Surveying her handiwork, Miaka tapped a thoughtful finger against her lip. "Should I tie your feet too?" Truthfully, he knew she didn't want him tied up like this, but Nuriko wouldn't change his mind without a fight. He'd already hurt her once without meaning to. This was necessary.

"Maybe?" Nuriko gave the rope a few experimental tugs. It seemed solid enough. "Do you think you can do some more complicated knots?" He paused, realizing Miaka wasn't paying attention.

"What's this?" Her hands traced the large birthmark covering Nuriko's abdomen and chest, not quite touching him in the process. Once the words were out, Miaka flinched, suddenly realizing exactly what the mark represented without Nuriko having to say it.

It was said a birthmark could show injury or how someone died in a past life. Never had either of them imagined they'd be faced with the stark reality that was that awful orginal wound, not since it had torn them apart, not since it had stopped Nurikos heart that had only just awoken to the women that was now tracing its ghost. The ugly gaping wound Ashitare's claws had left behind was now a huge strawberry milk-colored mark. The entire thing was about the size of a dinner plate with uneven edges.

Miaka's fingers brushed the mark and Nuriko gasped, his entire body twitching beneath her fingers. "It's sensitive." He whispered sheepishly when her eyes darted to him with concern and fright.

"Do you not want me to touch it?" Miaka asked, her fringers frozen now, hesitating. "Chiriko has similar marks and didn't want me to touch them."

Nuriko sighed, "Please do."

Miaka laid her hand gently over the very center of the mark, resting it there for a moment before trailing fingers along the jagged edges. Nuriko shivered beneath her touch, a dark spot appearing where the tip of him strained against his loose pants. Impulsively, Miaka trailed her hand downward to palm him through the fabric, sucking in a breath when he thrust against her with powerful hips.

Nuriko gasped, turning to look away, muscles tensing against his restraints. Grinning at his reaction, Miaka continued to tease him, enjoying the way he strained against the ropes, biting his lip.

"You won't hurt me, you know," Miaka assured him , pausing her ministrations. "I'm feeling pretty strong after absorbing so much Seishi energy." When he didn't answer, simply watched her though heavily lidded eyes she added, "Try to hit me."

Nuriko gave her a sideways look, glancing at his bindings incredulously. Likewise, Miaka gestured at his unbound feet and after a little cajoling, he aimed a kick at her hand that would've floored Tasuki.

Miaka caught his foot easily with a satisfied little quirk of her lips.

"What the Hell?" Fascinated, Nuriko struck out again, only this time, he didn't hold back. Much. He'd taken out walls using the same amount of strength.

Miaka grunted, but took the blow like a champ, only moving the barest amount. Nuriko had the feeling that if Miaka wasn't so slight compared to him she wouldn't have moved at all.

"I started noticing it last night." Miaka admitted. "You know how much of a clutz I am. I tripped and broke a chair. I put it back together so no one would notice."

"YOU broke the chair?" Nuriko demanded incredulously. "And you let me take the blame!" All this time, he'd been so concerned he might hurt his precious Priestess for no reason!

"Kinda." Miaka ducked her head sheepishly.

"You sneaky little…" Nuriko took a leap at Miaka.

Or tried to. The knots he'd instructed her to tie held firm.

Nevertheless, Miaka jumped backwards on the bed. "How dare you attack your Priestess!" She admonished in mock horror. "You're supposed to protect me!"

With a growl, Nuriko wrestled against his bonds, hissing, "There's nothing in the Seishi bylaws stating I have to protect you from Little Nuriko. In fact, we are under some very strict guidelines insisting Little Nuriko and I have our way with you."

Miaka laughed. "And what way is that?"

Nuriko gave an impressive growl, giving a final tug and snapping the ropes. "Every which way!"

Seeing he was free, Miaka leaped away with a girlish screech.

She didn't get far. Wrapping his arms around her from behind, Nuriko wrestled Miaka onto the bed. To her credit, Miaka didn't make it easy, squirming and flailing with a strength that truly rivaled his own. However, she was no match for his fighting skills and a few submission moves he'd picked up over the years. It took several long moments, but Nuriko eventually managed to tie her arms behind her back.

"Not fair!" Miaka kicked and squealed, making a fuss that turned Nuriko on more than he cared to admit.

"That's enough out of you, Priestess!" Nuriko landed a quick slap to her backside that had Miaka gasping while he began tying a simple shibari harness. The black jute crisscrossed over her shoulders and chest, framing and supporting her breasts before coming back around to fasten her hands behind her back.

"What are you planning to do with me now?" Miaka teased, looking back at him over her shoulder as he finished tying the last knot.

"Finally take what's rightfully mine." Using the harness, Nuriko pulled her up, forcing her onto her knees so that he could slid beneath her. Once she was seated on his lap, her back pressed to his front he reached around to grip the harness with one hand as he pulled himself out of his pants with the other to tease her heated opening. Miaka gasped, biting her lip as she trembled.

Nuriko rubbed himself against her, sighing with pleasure at how wet she was already. He started out slow and sweet, coating himself with her wetness and savoring the fact she wanted him as badly as he wanted her. All those times he'd been relegated to sleeping nearest to her because he was safe—he could have had her, silently, in their bedrolls beneath everyone else's noses if he'd wanted.

Not that he would have done so, but the knowledge he wasn't as harmless as they'd always treated him was powerful and sweet.

Miaka hissed, trying to grind down against him, her aura fluttering against his with anticipation. "Please, Nuriko. I need you."

Sucking in a breath through his teeth, Nuriko finally allowed himself to sink just inside her waiting opening. Tentatively, he allowed their auras to merge, the sensation forcing a groan from him. "Not as much as I need you."

Relinquishing his hold on his shaft, Nuriko slid his hand possessively over Miaka's rear, settling firmly against one curved hip to hold her steady as he thrust inside, pulling her backwards onto him in the same motion. The vibrating energy surrounding them began to hum, shooting across his skin and straight to his groin.

He gripped Miaka's hips firmly, swiveling in slowly growing circles as he worked her clit until tiny shudders wracked her body. When she finally began to come he pulled out, tossing her onto the bed where he used his fingers and tongue to prolong her pleasure until she begged for mercy. Nuriko smiled, crawling to lay beside her, plying her with deep kisses between her helpless gasps as his fingers ran along her thighs, manipulating the tiny sparks of energy between them to bring her ever higher.

"Nuriko. Please." Miaka was flushed and damp from exertion, the sheets soaked from her excitement and sweat. He had no idea how long he'd been playing with her at this point, having lost all sense of time as he wrung every bit of pleasure from his innocent Priestess. According to the rules, he was required to spill himself inside her at the conclusion of the ceremony. He'd been fully prepared to please her with his lips, fingers, teeth, and tongue, bring himself as close to release as possible, and immediately pour himself into her to avoid hurting her.

But now, he didn't have to worry about that.

Tentatively, Nuriko slid his knees beneath Miaka's hips, directing his length to press against her sodden center. The head slid in easily and Nuriko gripped Miaka's hips, pulling her down so her bonds pulled tight and hoisting her high into his lap and fully onto his hardness with a gasp from both of them.

For a long moment, Nuriko refused to move, sweat trickling down his back. Fear gripped him as he stared down at her vulnerable pale body, already exhausted from his games. Green eyes glittered up at him with love and trust, sending a shiver of heat throughout his body that had him clenching his teeth.

And then she moved.

Very slight, just a roll of her hips. A twitch, really. Followed by a moan and the arch of her back, thrusting her breasts into the air, held firmly by the rope harness he'd woven earlier.

His thumbs rubbed firmly over her hip bones, fingers thrilling against her soft hips and buttocks as he blindly followed the roll of Miaka's hips against his own, eyelids fluttering shut. Without thinking, he continued the roll, pulling her into a relentless grind, hooking his elbows beneath her knees and bending her double as he leaned over to bite a nipple harshly.

"Yes!" Miaka moaned, arching into his touch.

Nuriko lost control, his hips snapping against hers forcefully, earning a yelp from Miaka as his length speared her and giving her no time to recover before he was doing it again. And again and again. The bed creaked, groaning beneath them as he rutted against the woman who had once been his greatest rival, and was now his greatest conquest. He pressed his face into the space between her neck and shoulder, setting his teeth into her as he chased the elusive pleasure beckoning him on the horizon.

Miaka shuddered beneath him, crying out as he drove her over yet another peak, her body clenching tight, wetness spurting as proof of her pleasure. Nuriko gasped, biting down as her cavern quaked around him, pulsing, rippling, welcoming, kissing him, begging him…

Light exploded behind his eyes, his entire body locking up to pour out into Miaka, rocking over her with a low moan of victory as he came. His aura followed suit, pouring inside and filling her up the way he'd been dying to for days, allowing him to meld with his Priestess and, for a moment, truly become one.

This hadn't gone exactly as Nuriko had planned. It had gone even better.

To be Continued…