Tell Me You Love Me

Tell Me You Love Me 8

Sunset

It was a beautiful sight. Man and steel and sea. Moving along the sand in an intricate dance of flow and ebb, rise and fall, slash and return. Kureha stood in the kitchen preparing the noon meal. She paused to watch as her husband practiced on the beach his blades shining in the high sun. It would be a shame to have to call him in. A smile lit Kureha's face as a thought struck her. Why should she call him in? It was a lovely day with the sun beaming down with just enough cloud cover to create a breeze. The sound of the waves would be soothing.

Kyuzo finished his exercise and paused to center his breathing. As he was sliding his swords into their sheath he looked up with a smirk. He had known she was there long before he had finished. It was not a sound she had made, thought there was plenty of that with her often clumsy tread. It was more a scent in the air and a quickening in his blood. Kureha gasped as their eyes met. Lit by the sun his odd colored brown orbs appeared almost red under his fall of golden hair slightly damp from sweat. Kureha approached offering him a cool towel to wipe his face and hands. Kyuzo paused, it was a small luxury, one he remembered his mother performing for his father. Even though she worked out as well as he did there were always cold towels when done.

“Kyuzo?” Kureha asked when he simply stood holding the towel in his hands.

“Thank you,” Kyuzo smiled at a loss. He had spent so much time alone he almost felt bad for Kureha who would suffer his lapses the most. “How do you feel?” Kyuzo felt proud of the simple question then frowned as he remembered that just that morning she had winced in pain when he picked her up. Kambei had claimed she had been sore, with that much blood... Had he truly hurt her so badly?

“Great, thanks and you,” Kureha floundered for a way to break the odd formality they now found themselves in.

Kyuzo nodded his eyes drawn to the large basket she carried he was quick to take the burden from her arms. He saw the wrinkles in the fine linen sleeves of her top. The long skirt hid her legs from view. Though the outfit covered more skin than that of the water priestess he found it vastly more appealing in that the soft fabric and colors made her seem soft and nice to touch. In fact when she lowered her arms the cloth fell forward hiding her hands from view. Kyuzo wiped his face then his hands before sitting the towel aside he took her hand with a questioning look. “I just thought, it being a nice day, that we could eat the noon meal here.” Kyuzo nodded, he looked into the basket to see bread, meat, cheese, fruit, and juice along with a blanket. Kureha grinned when Kyuzo nodded a smile lighting his features.

It was odd, Kyuzo thought, he could not remember smiling so much. Well, that wasn't right, when he had been with his parents. Kyuzo shook the thought from his head as he sat the basket down and spread the blanket on the sand. He then took off his heavy canvas coat and sighed. If he was to remain in this warmer climate he would have to find lighter gear. Kyuzo folded the coat into a pillow for Kureha to sit on thinking of her earlier soreness. “Thank you,” Kureha sat then began to reach into the basket she pulled out bowls, chopsticks and napkins then loaded it with food. Kyuzo busied himself finding cups he poured the home squeezed fruit juice into them offering his bride a cup. “My brother and I used to have picnics all the time. He would spend hours with me practicing. My most fond memories of childhood are learning to dance. My first dance was with my father. I stood on his feet and he twirled me around the beach. I felt like a princess. Then my mother explained that I was a princess, of the Dawn.”

Kyuzo sat and listened to his wife as she spoke of her childhood. They made it through the basket and packed the items away. But still they sat on the beach. “Tell me about your family. I know your mother was a ninja and your father a samurai but how was life with them? Was it all training?”

“No, my mother liked flowers.” Kyuzo said looking out at the changing colors of the sky. Feeling he should say more he thought back. “Father and I would go walking with her along the woods and prairies near our home and she collected a bunch of them. So much that she could not carry them all, so we carried them for her. It was a once a week family trip and our home was always filled with flowers.”

“She must have been beautiful,” Kureha said thinking that she had told him so much about her family down to giving him avid descriptions of her parents.

“She had brown hair it was long and strait, her eyes were the same shade of my own.” Kyuzo nodded thinking that his mother was indeed a wonderful woman. “My father was tall and strong, I guess my shape was inherited from mother, father was closer to your brother's physique. Mother said that I am not skinny, I am inconspicuous for stealth missions.” Kyuzo laughed softly at the memory. Kyuzo thought that the sun had decided to come back for another try as Kureha's tinkling laughter spilled along the beach. He was silent as he pulled her from her perch on his coat. Kureha moved easily into his arms. They sat in silence watching as the sun sank into the sea with a dazzling array of brilliant colors.

Kyuzo packed up the blanket and utensils into the basket before he draped his coat over Kureha's shoulders to stave off the evening chill as they walked back to their home. Kyuzo tried not to laugh when he saw that several inches of the end of his coat trailed behind her and that the sleeves reached her knees. As he looked at her he also saw that her breasts were more obvious underneath her clothing. Had she taken his passionate words to heart and left them unbound. Kureha followed his line of vision and blushed. “I wanted to let you know that I am going to perform the Dawn rites next week.” Kureha said drawing his eyes back to hers. He nodded saying nothing he opened the door of their home to allow her to precede him inside. Kureha was glad to doff the heavy coat and put it away. What did he carry in his pockets, stones? “Well Sakura will marry the village leader's son and the performance is quite vigorous.”

“I am sure it will be lovely.” Kyuzo said reaching into one of the pockets on the coat and pulling out a sharpening stone. He set up the water and flames preparing to care for his swords as Kureha set about emptying the basket and cleaning the dishes before she began to make dinner.

Kureha aimed a chagrined look at the heavy stone that had indeed been in the pocket of the coat. “What I mean is,” Kureha stood in front of Kyuzo drawing his eyes from his weapon to her. “It is difficult to dance without binding my... I mean, I will of course do as you wish, but...”

“I will never willingly make you uncomfortable.” Kyuzo was quick to assure her. “Bind if you must.” Kureha breathed a sigh of relief as she silently vowed to only bind them when necessary since he derived such pleasure from seeing them. Kyuzo's thought circled on his promise to never willingly harm her. As she went about preparing dinner he finished with his swords and all while Kureha served him dinner. As she bathed in the clothing room Kyuzo stripped from his garments. Thinking better of his actions he pulled on a pair of short pants. “Dinner was wonderful,” Kyuzo said by way of taking his mind off the simple white, sleeveless sheath she wore for bed.

“Thank you,” Kureha turned a becoming shade of pink. Kyuzo was careful as he moved over to make room for his bride. She climbed in next to him shocked that all he did was kiss her lips and hold her in his arms. Tears stung her eyes as Kyuzo went to sleep. Shame poured over every ounce of her person, she had not pleased her husband last night. He did not want her anymore.

-

Kyuzo awoke to excruciating tenseness. He carefully climbed from the futon before he awakened his sleeping wife with amorous demands. Kureha heard the shutting of the entrance to their home and sat up. She looked beside her on the soft mat and saw that Kyuzo was no longer beside her. Has he gone to speak to my brother? She wondered with tearful trepidation she crawled from bed to bathe and dress herself. How had she failed so completely? She had done as Lady Akane suggested, which was to do as he wanted.

Kyuzo jumped onto the roof his mind filled with self castigation. How could he be such a brute? First to hurt his wife, then to want to do it again. The prostitutes that Ayamaro and Ukyo had given him had all been experienced, he was not prepared for the sweet innocence of his wife. How was he to handle her? He had thought he was gentle, but wait! Kyuzo thought sitting up straiter. Kambei had expected blood. Did all virgins bleed? But so much? Kyuzo thought of what had been on him and her and the futon. He had changed the coverings after the town had left and saw the damage. She was lucky to walk again after what he had seen. He had to talk to her, to let her know how sorry he was. Kyuzo sighed jumping to the ground he entered the house to see Kureha almost finished making breakfast.

Wiping his hands on the moist towel offered he sat at their table with his hands folded neatly in front of him. Kureha sat his breakfast in front of him before sitting across with her own. Kyuzo looked up to see the tears seeping from her eyes and panic enveloped him. “I'm sorry,” They both said once.

Kureha sniffled and continued. “For whatever reason I have displeased you and you have every right to send me back to my brother with shame.”

“Displeased me?” Kyuzo got to his feet he came around the table taking her into his arms.

“You do not want me anymore.” Kureha sobbed thinking of last night.

“Want you?” Kyuzo was amazed that his body responded to even the mention of her underneath him. “Of course I want you. But,” Kyuzo trailed off his face heating. “I hurt you.”

“But Kyuzo... I mean, Kyosuke, being with you was wonderful. Of course the first time hurt.” Kureha smiled thinking back over lady Akane's words. “Lady Akane told me that. She spoke to Sakura as well.” Kyuzo had never before felt the sting of his age and inexperience. It chaffed to have it come at such an awkward time.

“You must think me a fool,” Kyuzo looked away.

“We are not expected to interact with the rest of the town for another day.” Kureha informed him. Kyuzo then realized how insidious Du-An's plan had truly been. Had he stayed home as expected, there would truly be no evidence. He and Kureha would have bathed, the futon's coverings would have been cleaned. He felt a moment of anger resurface then he deflated glad that he had been so pleased with his wife that he wanted to buy her something special.

“My lady,” Kyuzo stood to his feet. “Are you suggesting that we retire so early in the day?” Kureha blushed as she realized that they had not even finished breakfast. She looked up to see Kyuzo smiling. Kureha accepted Kyuzo's offered hand forgetting about the food they headed back to their bedroom. Kyuzo shut the door with his foot pulling his bride into his arms he pressed their lips together drinking in the sweet innocence that somehow lingered about her. Kureha sighed melting against her husband in docile surrender.

“Kyuzo,” Kureha whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck standing on the tips of her toes to achieve the feat. “Such wonderful things you do to me.” Kyuzo smiled licking her neck as he allowed his hands to roam the soft contours of her body. Kureha gasped feeling his strong fingers grope her bottom through her layers of clothing. This was not the first time he had done so to her. She had felt his hand straying even before they had wed but he stopped himself. Kyuzo lowered his head to kiss her chest, even through the fabric of her clothes she felt his heat. Kyuzo stood lifting her from her feet he sat Kureha on the futon. Getting to his knees before her he began to untie the folds of her light colored soft clothing.

“Everything about you is petal soft and sweet smelling.” Kyuzo whispered kissing the incline of her flat tummy. Kyuzo climbed over the bed shedding his own clothes. Kureha gasped admiring the firm maleness of his form. She ran a trembling hand over his chest and muscled stomach. Kyuzo stilled under the gentle ministrations. Kureha noted his stillness and halted her movements. “It's alright, you can touch me.” Kyuzo lay on his back offering his body for her hands. Kureha smiled brightly her eyes aglow with sensual curiosity. Kureha placed her hands on his abdomen pressing in she moved on to his powerful thighs. Kyuzo felt his body respond to her touch and worked to control the urge to press her back to the soft mat of the futon.

“You're so strong,” Kureha said moving down to his calves. She stroked back up her eyes lighting on his manhood. “So large,” She gulped amazed that he had indeed fit inside of her. She brought her trembling fingers to him. Her light touch inflamed Kyuzo and he sucked in breath as her fingers tenderly circled him. Kureha smiled then released him just as Kyuzo thought he would spill himself in her hand. She moved her hands back over his stomach then his chest. She touched his nipples and Kyuzo was shocked that he could be sensitive there. None of the women of his past had ventured there. When Kureha looked up into his eyes with a mischievous grin Kyuzo sat up pressing their lips together he took over their lovemaking.

With the sun shining down Kyuzo could appreciate each curve of his wife's graceful form. Kureha noted his staring and her deeply tanned skin heated. Kyuzo pressed their lips together again his hands coming up to cup her round breasts. He massaged them then pinched the peaks. Kureha gasped feeling heat gather and pool between her thighs she shifted where she sat next to him on the bed. Kyuzo reached down taking her legs he brought them across his lap. Kureha gasped feeling his throbbing member pressing against her hip.

Kyuzo lowered the arm she was leaning against angling her. He then dipped his head licking her chest. Kureha moaned when his teeth grazed a sensitive peak before he sucked it in.“Kyuzo,” He grinned as his name was sighed. He was glad that his obsession with her breasts brought her pleasure for he could not help but linger at the sweet fullness. Kureha buried her hands in his lush hair holding his head to her bosom. “Your mouth is so hot,” Kureha gasped as he suckled using his hand to attend to the other breast. Kyuzo muttered his agreement moving on to the other nipple he treated it to similar attention. Kureha trembled in his arms as he kissed down to her stomach. Laving her belly button he pressed his lips in inhaling her feminine essence.

Kureha gasped, panting when Kyuzo shifted laying her on the mat he lay beside her. Kyuzo's fingers found the springy softness of her woman hood. Again he was greeted with the slick evidence of her arousal. Again he could not halt the need to taste her womanly charms. Kureha felt him moving and knew what he was about. Remembering the pleasure of the previous encounter she spread her legs for his body to settle in. Kyuzo slid his fingers along the moist folds of her inner secrets. He heard her moan and pant smiling he lowered his head. Kureha cried out when his tongue joined his fingers in their sensual exploration of her hidden parts. “Oh... Kyuzo,” Kureha sighed as he licked her deep within. “Such things you do,” Kureha covered her mouth with her hands as her cries of pleasure escalated. Kyuzo's tongue sped up when he felt her begin to shiver. Kureha further muffled her cries when his fingers entered her pressing in he moved them in and out as his tongue drove her to madness. Kyuzo sucked her most sensitive flesh into his mouth as she expired on the futon her wetness increased around his hand coating his tongue with her enjoyment.

Kyuzo came up gasping for air. He removed his fingers then pushed them into his own mouth licking and sucking them clean. Kureha stared at her husband in shock as she watched him enjoy the fruits of her copious enjoyment. Kyuzo lay flat on top of her then nudging her knees further apart with his own he pressed down. Kureha smiled when he interlocked their fingers. Pressing her deep into the mat of their futon he entered her with a slow, deliberate thrust that left them both sighing. Kyuzo shifted his hips enjoying the tender squeak she emitted. Her fingers clenched around his the same time her body relaxed sinking him further within her. “Ok?” He asked holding himself still. Kureha opened her eyes. She looked deep into his oddly colored orbs she could find no words to express the rapture his intimate embrace brought to her so she nodded and lifted her head trying to capture his lips.

Kyuzo's heart warmed at her simple gesture and he kissed her deeply allowing his tongue to slide into her mouth he tasted each sigh and gasp as he moved over her. Thrusting with deep, gentle movements he sheathed himself completely. Pulling out he entered again swiveling his hips he found a place that was so deep within her she cried out in startled wonder that he could bring her such pleasure. “Kyosuke,” She whispered his name against his lips. Kyuzo increased his tempo, though his thrusts were no less deep. His own breathing was no longer stable as she began to lift her hips begging for more of his loving. Bracing himself while holding her close Kyuzo complied. His cries soon joined hers as he lost his control deep inside of her.

When his breathing calmed, Kyuzo realized he was still laying on top of Kureha. He disengaged himself from her and moved to the side keeping her within his embrace. “Did I please you?” She asked with a smile on her face. Knowing the answer from his smile. Kyuzo nodded anyway.

“Did I hurt you?” Kyuzo asked even though her pleasure had been obvious. Kureha shook her head. “Did I please you?” He asked licking her neck. Kureha nodded amazed to feel him swell where he pressed against her side.

“Kyuzo...again?”

Kyuzo lay her on the mat merging their mouths he pressed her knees parting her thighs. Kissing her deeply he lifted his head and said with a nod and wolfish grin, “Again.” Kureha gasped as he pressed inside filling her with joy. “And again.”

-

Shichiroji had never felt more at home. He thought back to the first day of his return to the firefly house. Yukina had been surprised to see him. He had laughed stating that he had not brought back any treasures. Yukina had claimed that he was the treasure. They were married soon after. The firefly house had become his true home. With the bandits no longer a large threat more people traveled to the city of respite. Shichiroji was just sitting to enjoy an evening cup of sake when Yukina joined him. “The fireflies are bright tonight.” She said looking around at the small insects that glowed over the water.

“Yes,” Shichiroji agreed putting his arm around his beautiful wife. She leaned her head against his shoulder.

“Do you remember, the fireflies were bright the night you left?” Yukina said feeling tears threaten.

“What's this about?” Shichiroji asked wiping the moisture from her face. Yukina fell into his blue eyes thinking of the time apart. She had not known if he lived or died. They had all heard of the great battle, but no names of survivors had been available.

“Apparently a remnant of the Nobuseri remain. They have put a bounty on your head. On all of you. Every bounty hunter for miles around is looking for you all. You can't stay here.”

“No,” Shichiroji got to his feet pulling her up as well. “We can't. As my wife they will use you to get to me. Our best defense is to remain together.”

“But where can we go?” Yukina asked ignoring the fear of leaving her home behind and the uncertain future before them.

“First we will go to Kanna village,” Shichiroji headed inside to pack their belongings. “Since that is our last known whereabouts I am sure that is where they are headed first. We have to tell Katsushiro and Kikuchiyo to get out.” Yukina was frightened as the left the city in the dead of night, but knew that she would rather be with him in danger, than safe all alone.

-

Kirara placed her hand on her soon to be expanding tummy as she held her crystal over the water. Katsushiro sat not far behind leaning against a tree. He sat with one knee bent an arm draped over it while his other hand held his sword. Even though the battles had ended, he could never feel safe enough. Especially now with the weight of impending fatherhood on his shoulders. Kirara gasped while swinging the crystal and Katsushiro was at her side in an instant. “What's wrong?”

“Danger, Katsushiro we are in grave danger.” Kirara looked around as if she could see whatever menace awaited them in the surrounding woods. Loud clanging noises could be heard and Katsushiro pulled his sword standing in front of his wife.

“Whoa now,” Kikuchiyo said his large palms out in a sign of surrender. “What's with this?”

“Sorry,” Katsushiro shoved his blade home in his sheath. He took Kirara's hand and headed back to the center of the village where the older water priestess lived. “Lady Kirara sensed danger just now with her crystal.

“Well, I'll be,” Kikuchiyo muttered as they rounded the corner of the hut to see Shichiroji and Yukina standing looking exhausted and dirty. “Things are about to get interesting.”

To Be Continued

Hopefully this series is making people smile. I will try to keep going. This will be like my Pet Shop/Fake AU series As long as people are reading and enjoying it will live. As you can see Sir Ken returned for a repeat performance.

Chi