Seduced

"I hope Shigure didn't tease or embarrass you in any way."

The silence was unbearable.
All through dinner, Tohru hadn't said a word. It appeared to Hatori as if she had something on her mind; normally she was quite chatty, but for the past hour she had stayed silent.
He wondered if she was upset with him for lecturing her when she only wanted to surprise him.
It worked perfectly. . .she had surprised him in many ways.

The traditional Japanese tea ceremony she had performed had mesmerised him. Every movement was fluid, flowing into the next without pausing.
It was almost like a dance; her simple way of honouring the Zodiac with her own performance.
The thought almost made him chu. Hi. His little riceball seemed to captivate him with everything she did.
'It should be the year of the riceball instead of the year of the dragon. . .' He sighed. 'It was a shame she couldn't see me dance at the new years festival. . .next time Tohru. . .next time, I promise.'
With his mind made up, he was determind to make it happen. . .to let her see his dragon dance when it became the year of the dragon once more.

Looking up from her tea, Tohru smiled. "No, he just mentioned that you should keep me over night, umn. . .to make sure I'm well looked after."
She slowly lowered her lashes. Over the past two years she had stayed at Shigure's house, she had come to know just how his mind worked when it came to Hatori.
"What do you think he meant by that? I'm not sick."
Slowly opening her eyes, she had ded ted to play innocent with her comment.

'Damnit, doesn't she know when she does that, it gets to me?' He gave a silent sigh. 'Or maybe she does, that's why she does it.'
For a moment, Hatori simply held her stare--noticing her green eyes flash with myschief--turning a deeper shade of green.
He could tell she was playing with him.

"Well I am a doctor. Shigure probably wants me to examine you just to make sure you're okay and to keep you over night for observation; even thougere ere appears to be nothing wrong, I still have my duties as a doctor to make sure you get the correct treatment."
Toying with her in return, he couldn't hold back the smile or laughter in his voice; though the hidden meaning was there.

It was true.
He yearned to examine every little inch of her body--not in the professional manner he was use to with her--he wanted her to bring out the fierce dragon within him, waiting for her to release it and supress the baby dragon.
He found himself aching with the need to keep her overnight, to watch over her as she slept beside him. . .saviouring her warmth--she was like spring to him.
Even though she was now eighteen, he couldn't ignore the fact she was eleven years younger than him. He had waited yearyears for her to come of age before pursuing her, but it seemed to him that she was doing the pursuing.
He decided if they were going to have any sort of a deeper relationship, he had to find a way to push aside the age factor.
He felt like a craddle snatcher.

"I hope you liked dinner," Tohru spoke up, her eyes darting around the place, trying to avoid Hatori's heavy glare.
With her nerves kicking in once again, she found herself reaching for anything to calm herself. She still had a long way to go before her plan came to its end; but now that dinner was over, she wasn't certain how she could make Hatori realise what she needed from him. . .without sounding so forward about it.
"I'm sorry it was too much. I'm so use to cooking for two other people that I guess it's now a habbit."

Resting his head on one hand, Hatori gave a gentle smile. He could tell she had suddenly became very nervous to be around him.
He wondered why.
"You shouldn't have gone to the trouble. I would have been happy with a bowl of ramen or just plain old sushi; but in any case I liked it. . .you're very talented; Shigure's lucky to have you."
Mentally kicking himself, Hatori straightened up, deciding to change the subject.
"By the way Tohru, I've been meaning to ask about the incense you're burning. It's nothing like I've ever smelt before. I thought you only burned it on the day of your mother's anniversary."

Tohru suddenly stood. "Umn, if. . .if you don't like it I can put it out. I. . .I'm sorry, I just wanted to--" Cutting herself off, she searched for a word or a phrase that wouldn't make Hatori feel uncomfortable. "I just wanted to make everything perfect for you--to make a relaxing atmosphere after a long day at the clinic."
She looked away, trying not to match the colour of her dress.

'Why doesn't she just come out and say it?' Hatori thought as he once again rested his head on a hand, now knowing what she was up to. She didn't have to voice it to be heard. 'She's mastering the art of seduction quicker than she knows.'
Closing his eyes, he slowly shook his head. "I like it."

"Really? I don't know what it's called. . .the lady I bought it from--made it up of Ginseng, Cohosh, Charcoal and. . ."

"And?"

Quickly collecting the plates off the small table, Tohru turned away. "I'lst gst go wash these."
Fearing she'd offend the dragon, she decided not to voice the last ingredient.

Following her into the kitchen, Hatori's curiosity peaked.
Tohru was avoiding him.
Waiting until she put the dishes down, Hatori placed a hand on one of her shoulders and turned her to face him. "And what? You wouldn't have started naming the ingredients if you didn't want me to know. I actually find the incense quite relaxing, so now you hav cur curiosity."

Biting her lower lip, Tohru refused to look at the dragon.
"Dragon's Blood."

Laughter made Tohru glare at him.

"That's just a name for it--it's nothing to be upset about. I may be the dragon in the Zodiac, but trust me. . .there's no REAL dragon's blood in the incense; it's more like mugwort."

"Oh," her voice was barely a whisper. Even though she didn't know what mugwort was, she felt embarrassed but relieved all at the same time.

Needing to rure ure her, Hatori found himself gently kissing her lacquered lips before his mind could even register his actions.
'She tastes of strawberries. . .'
Her scent was intoxicating him; one moment he caught a waft of sakura's and the next it was candy.
He needed to taste more. . .he flicked the tip of his tongue against her sealed lips until she allowed him to deepen the kiss.

Sighing into the kiss; Tohru allowed him to lap at her tongue as she hungrily kissed him in return, trying hard not to press herself against him in fear he'd transform and end the kiss.
Her mind became fogged and refused to register anything but Hatori's kiss; her hands wandered up and down his arms as he pinned her against the cupboards, careful to keep a slight distanetweetween them.
Hatori had kissed her dozens of times, but nothing at all like he was doing now.

The sound of Tohru shuffling her feet, caught Hatori's attention, but he refused to break the kiss as he realised she was putting herself in a more comfortable position so she wouldn't collapse against him.
Desire getting the better of him, he grabbed her and lifted her up onto the bench-top. He slightly parted her legs so he could stand between them and needing to find a way to safely hold her; he wanted to let his hands explore her body as he continued tasting her, heightening his hunger for her.
It was a bad move.

As quick as the kiss had began, it was broken.
The simple brush of his wandering hands against her breasts made her throw her head back and gasp.
She hadn't meant to break the kiss, but even through the satin material, she could feel thny eny electric shocks he left with his finger-tips, making her tremble.
With each movement of his exploration, she wanted to immitate it. All she could do however, was enjoy the pleasure with each tiny kiss he planted up and down on her throat, leaving a trail of fire.
Aching for him, the foreign feeling she had yearned for made itself known. Her body shook with it.