Of Idols and Swords

Title: Of Idols and Swords
Author: Despina_61
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: M/M sex
Word Count: 5144
Summary/Prompt: Samurai 7, Kyuuzo/Katsushiro: hero worship - "Go away."
Beta: imayb1 (I touched it last.)


Of Idols and Swords

The young one looked at me when I killed Hyogo. His eyes glittered with admiration and devotion. No one except the true samurai noticed my scrutiny of the young one. The others misunderstand the economy of my eye movement as not seeing, but they are simple. Not being aware of everything could leave me dead. Conversely, obvious observation could leave me equally dead.

The young one remains a clean sheet of paper awaiting the ink from a calligrapher’s pen. He is pure in his passion, an irresistible temptation for the others to goad and rile him. He exhibits traits of an untrained youth, convinced the world exists in only black and white. Yet, it his innocence that draws me to him and I fear: eventually, he will be my undoing. I will definitely be his. I believe I could show greater kindness if I killed him instead of…

Later, I saw his crestfallen look when he spied me with the girl, misinterpreting her kindness for something else. The others assumed his sadness was due to his feelings for the girl, but they do not see clearly. They are all honorable, the others, but they are blind. All of them are ignorant, with the exception of the true samurai and possibly the one with the halberd, although I have not concluded my assessment of him. I am unsure if the halberd samurai is clear-minded or simply sly.

I never think of individuals by name. In my mind, I assign them descriptions. This simple process has saved me from the confusion of emotional loss. Not acknowledging a person’s name insulates me from the intimacy of friendship. Considering I have spent the majority of my life carrying out assassinations, my avoidance of complicated relationships has proven a great asset. On more than one occasion, my assignment has been to kill someone with whom I work. Had I called him friend, thought of him by name, the task might have proven difficult.

In the end, I must strive to contain my own desires. Now, in particular, is not the time for frivolousness; I am involved in a war. Likely, the young one will perish in this honorable and foolish undertaking, but I will not mourn him. I do not appreciate sorrow or even desire for that matter; they both cloud my mind and dull my senses. I relish honorable battle, fighting with an equal, something I haven’t done in years. I will carry out my duties and fight to save this tiny village, all so I may have a chance to fight the one with the long hair, the last remaining true samurai. I attempt to hold myself on course; I struggle to remain constant on the path to that awaited fight. Yet… despite my intentions, I hear the young one calling to me.

Katsushiro considered his sanity as he stepped cautiously through the dense undergrowth of the forest. One leaf rustling or the snapping of a tiny twig would alert the sleeping blond-haired man to his presence. Discovery was something Katsushiro didn’t want, at least, he didn’t think he wanted Kyuuzo knowing he was nearby and watching him. Again.

The blood-red coat beckoned to Katsushiro and he moved closer, each step painstakingly slow, his foot coming down in the tangled brush like a stalking cat’s, testing the ground before applying his weight. He was a young, inexperienced samurai, but each time he attempted to get close to Kyuuzo without waking him, Katsushiro felt his skill in stealth increase. He stopped behind a small copse of skinny trees, his heart thumping in his chest. This was the closest he had ever come without discovery and he felt rather pleased. He shifted slightly, trying to get a better angle on his target when his shoulder caught a low hanging limb and dislodged some dead leaves.

He froze, watching the two leaves float past him. Silently exhaling, he realized no one could have heard the leaves unless they stood where he was, even he’d barely heard them. His eyes moved back to the sleeping Kyuuzo but no one was there.

Shit.

Katsushiro’s head moved, quickly scanning the area. Kyuuzo was on the move and there was a very good possibility he was the target. He retreated, moving quietly, but knowing each step was a beacon to his whereabouts. Katsushiro thought Kyuuzo might kill him this time. He turned in panic and nearly severed his own head on Kyuuzo’s crossed swords.

“Kyuuzo-dono,” he said, feeling the deep blush already color his cheeks. “I’m sorry.”

“Why?” Kyuuzo asked his features unreadable as the tone in his voice.

“I…” Katsushiro swallowed, staring at the glinting steel.

Kyuuzo’s swords did not move and his eyes drilled into Katsushiro. “Death. Is that your wish?”

“No. I want…” Katsushiro swallowed again. What did he want? His gazed raked over the red coat, remembering his one glimpse of the black-clad bodysuit underneath. Katsushiro swallowed and clenched his fists, unsure what to say to the amazing man in front of him. Kyuuzo was graceful, skilled and deadly, a real samurai, someone far above clumsy and inept Katsushiro. He bowed deeply, careful to avoid the razor-sharp swords. He felt a sting in his eyes from unshed tears of hot embarrassment and loss; he was not worthy to watch Kyuuzo. He could not shame himself like this again. “I apologize, Kyuuzo-dono, for bothering you.”

In one fluid movement, Kyuuzo placed his swords back in either end of the long scabbard he wore. Stepping close, Kyuuzo’s eyes never left his but he smiled tightly. Maybe not entirely a smile but it was definitely not Kyuuzo’s normal frown. What did that mean?

Katsushiro could only come to one conclusion. He closed his eyes in preparation for death. He wouldn’t mind if Kyuuzo were the one to wield the sword that would slay him, in fact he considered it an honor that the Great Kyuuzo would deem him important enough to kill. Katsushiro’s death would be quick and painless and for that, he was grateful. He whispered, “Kyuuzo-dono.”

What he felt was far more confusing than a sword-tip. He felt fingertips on his cheek and then his lips - ghostly, gentle touches. His head spinning, he stepped back, his foot catching in thick brush and he fell on his ass. Katsushiro’s head was still foggy and he felt weak when he looked up at Kyuuzo’s serious features.

Kyuuzo’s always spoke in monotone and now was no different. He said, “Do not repeat this foolishness. You will kill us both.”

Katsushiro’s mouth was dry and his thoughts jumbled. Even if he’d known what to say, he doubted he couldn’t have formed a coherent sentence. All he could manage was to stare into Kyuuzo’s unfathomable eyes.

Kyuuzo awarded him a smirk and then turned, disappearing quickly into the forest.

I saw the look he gave me when I practiced alone in the forest. My swords sang through the air while I worked through the forms. I could see his cheeks, bright with his pure exuberance and his worship of my skill, of me. In spite of my words, his ‘clandestine’ visits had become annoyingly regular. At first, I was determined to ignore him, attempt to insulate us both from the pain of a physical encounter, no matter how superficial. We were in an occupation not suited for relationships of any kind. I was weak, though, and began to make a game of ending my practices with pointing my swords at him. Initially, I convinced myself that my actions were to frighten him, but I knew that the opposite would happen. He became further enamored of me.

For a brief moment, I considered teaching him. My time was limited, however, because training the villagers was already a priority. Also, he would lose his bright passion if I trained him, even so, I contemplated it. He was not clumsy and with time, he would learn the sword passably. He would never equal me, but my training was of a different nature, begun almost before I could walk. I am the best. If he wishes to be samurai, it is reasonable he should adore me.

He is tempting, but I must discourage him, for his own sake and mine. If I took him for a lover, we would both suffer. His unblemished purity is what draws me to him, and ironically, if I followed my desires, his purity is what I would rob from him. At this point, I am able to deny him only because discipline is my life. If I were to lose control, I would certainly place us both at risk. Lust clouds the mind and obscures clarity, something I cannot allow at this dangerous time.

Now, there was an additional problem. The halberd samurai has taken to watching the young one watch me, amused by the drama unfolding between us. The halberd samurai is sly, after all. Sly can be an exceptionally valuable trait if used with discretion and skill, however, it is a talent I lack and do not understand. Perhaps his slyness and interference will destroy both the young one and me and still, I am tempted.


Katsushiro's eyes watched the dual swords spin. To him, when Kyuuzo practiced, his feet never seemed to touch the solid ground. He was like some golden haired god, some ethereal being that didn’t belong on earth. Katsushiro shifted slightly, attempting to ease his erection without drawing Kyuuzo’s attention. His body’s reaction embarrassed him, but he couldn’t help it.

Watching Kyuuzo heated Katsushiro’s blood in ways he’d never experienced before. He’d been hard before, of course, and pleasured himself, of course, but that reaction had never come from watching a samurai practice. Now he wanted… well, he didn’t know for sure what he wanted other than to be near the willowy, blond-haired man.

Katsushiro heard a noise behind and to the right and he tipped his head in that direction. He saw a momentary shadow in the forest, but he was unsure of what it might me. For a moment, he considered staying in place, but that was not his job, not the assignment Kambei-dono had given him. With an internal sigh, he turned in the direction of the sound, only to see a flash of black pass him by. A coatless Kyuuzo was silently moving past him and towards the sound. Katsushiro ran after him.

Jumping over the under brush and dodging tree limbs, Katsushiro ran, but he wasn’t certain what he ran for. Was he rushing to save the village or was he rushing to see Kyuuzo? He didn’t know where his priorities lay anymore. His thoughts continued to wander, distracting him from his surroundings, and then a thin branch with thorns slapped against his face. He immediately felt blood trickling from the shallow wound but he continued to run.

The forest thinned into an open meadow and instinctively, Katsushiro slowed, but he was too late. Instantly, double swords threatened him, one at his throat and one lower down. Freezing in place, he hoped Kyuuzo would toy with him the way he normally did, a teasing look in those cold, dark eyes, while twin blades whirled around him, sometimes going so far to slice a hair or two. Katsushiro relished those moments, but this meeting, he realized with some panic, felt different.

Kyuuzo's blades flashed on either side of him, so close that the breeze from their passing caused his hair and clothes to move, and the sharp edges came closer than they ever had before. Katsushiro stepped back, retreating and concerned that Kyuuzo was truly angry with him. After all, Kyuuzo had warned him to stay away and on top of that, Katsushiro had been lax in his duties. He deserved Kyuuzo’s disapproval.

He stepped back again, and again. Katsushiro was convinced Kyuuzo was actually trying to kill him. Now that he thought about it, not following through with his duty might cause Kyuuzo to kill him. Once again, he embraced the idea of dying at Kyuuzo’s hands.

A tree halted his backward progress and he stopped, waiting for the deathblow, this time with his eyes open. Kyuuzo held motionless, his perfect body like finely a carved statue, his black body suit clinging to every part of him, leaving little to Katsushiro’s imagination. He thought the sight a fine thing to see before dying.

The blades moved so fast Katsushiro could not track them, but he heard their solid sound as they sunk into the tree on either side of him. The sharp blades pointed at him, at his left there was one at hip level and on his right, one near his shoulder. Kyuuzo stood directly in front of him blocking him and with Katsushiro’s back against the tree; he was effectively caged. He could try to dodge under the swords, but Katsushiro knew Kyuuzo would catch him before he could take more than a couple of paces. He waited, his breath shallow and quick, and in spite of his fear, his body shamelessly reacted to Kyuuzo’s proximity.

Kyuuzo placed his right hand near Katsushiro’s head, moving forward until Katsushiro could feel heat radiating from his lean, muscular frame. Kyuuzo leaned his face close to Katsushiro’s, his intense eyes steadily probing, delving deep. Katsushiro was at a loss, he had no idea what Kyuuzo was trying to convey to him. He was further confused when Kyuuzo’s head shifted slightly and he licked the blood from Katsushiro’s cheek, slowly and deliberately.

Katsushiro blinked. “Ky…Kyuuzo-dono? What are you…”

Kyuuzo’s tongue lapped at the blood again, saliva causing the slight gash to sting. Katsushiro moaned with the odd sensation and he was achingly and fully erect. One of Kyuuzo’s feet slid between Katsushiro’s and that long, lean body pressed against him.

“Kyuuzo-dono,” Katsushiro whispered. He pressed back with his hips, not caring that Kyuuzo would be able to feel his erection.

Lips crushed against his and Katsushiro’s eyes widened in surprised and then closed in ecstasy. He accepted the kiss, relaxing his mouth and allowing Kyuuzo’s tongue to slip inside his mouth, bringing the metallic taste of blood and Kyuuzo’s singular flavor. Katsushiro wasn’t sure, but he thought his head might explode when he realized Kyuuzo’s hand had found a way inside his pants and gripped his throbbing cock.

“Ky… ah!” He decided in a haze that his head wouldn’t explode, at least not the one on his shoulders.

Kyuuzo had managed to loosen Katsushiro's pants completely and after exposing his erection to the chill air, Kyuuzo opted to watch instead of kiss. Rubbing his thumb against the wet, dripping slit of Katsushiro’s erection, Kyuuzo slicked his fingers and the twitching cock beneath them. Then the blond began to stroke Katsushiro with meticulous thoroughness.

Katsushiro pushed ineffectually against Kyuuzo’s hand. The sharp sword blades forced caution on him and he did not have much room to resist. “No, Kyuuzo-dono. Please don’t, I’ll… ”

Kyuuzo continued to pump his cock, squeezing and caressing, bringing Katsushiro to the culmination of his pleasure with lightening quickness. Katsushiro couldn’t stop the building orgasm but managed to contain his cry of pleasure by biting his lip. He was thankful for that modicum of control; he didn’t need Shichiroji or Kikuchiyo to see him like this, his back to a tree with his pants around his ankles.

His thoughts cleared and although he was still shaking with post-orgasmic weakness, Katsushiro’s head snapped up to stare at his assailant. Kyuuzo gave him a half smile and released Katsushiro’s now hypersensitive cock. He took a step back, allowing Katsushiro room to redress.

While he refastened his clothing, still carefully avoiding injury on the dual blades, he gazed at Kyuuzo’s amused features. His cheeks heated with the understanding of what Kyuuzo’s had just done to him. Was Kyuuzo making fun of him? Katsushiro was beyond confused. “Why did you do that?”

Kyuuzo purposefully licked every drop of cum from his hand. After he finished he said, “Do not return unless you are prepared. I will not hold back next time.” Then he pulled his swords from the tree, turned and walked away.

Katsushiro furrowed his brow, watching Kyuuzo's perfectly built, black-clad body melt into the forest. Prepared? What did he mean? Katsushiro touched his lips, his body still shocked and humming with the residual effects Kyuuzo’s treatment. Did Kyuuzo mean… Katsushiro’s body burst into heat and his cock was immediately hard again. He slouched against the tree, considering bringing himself off a second time, right there. He even reached down, intending to do just that, when another person materialized from behind a tree.

“You sure know how to pick them, Katsu-chan.” Shichiroji smirked at him, his eyes traveling over Katsushiro’s body knowingly. “That’s quite the case of hero worship you have.”

Katsushiro gained his feet and the anger burst out of him. “This is none of your business!”

Chuckling, Shichiroji said, “You’re absolutely correct, of course. It’s really not my business.”

“Do you…” Katsushiro didn’t know how to ask the questions so he closed his mouth again.

Shichiroji frowned and tapped his halberd against his shoulder, studying Katsushiro. “You do know what he was telling you, don’t you? What he meant by being prepared if you come back again?”

“I… uh. I’m not sure.” Katsushiro answered.

Shichiroji blinked at him. “Oh my, you are innocent, aren’t you?”

Katsushiro’s embarrassment grew and he looked down.

“That guy is like a barely contained wildcat, and now you have his passion flowing. He might just tie you to a tree, screw you for days and then leave you.”

“Sc… screw? You mean…”

Shichiroji nodded. “Kyuuzo’s hard dick up your ass, yes, that’s what I mean by screw. Oh, you’re blushing! That is too adorable and after what you just did?”

“Yo… you saw?”

“You might watch that stutter of yours, Katsu.” Shichiroji grinned. “Good show, by the way. He seems to know what he’s doing but, Kambei or me, we would be far gentler with you.”

Katsushiro stared at Shichiroji, he had heard stories about the samurai and their students, of course, but this revelation surprised him. “Ka…Kambei-dono?”

“Sure.” Shichiroji shrugged. “Although I’m better. Kyuuzo, well, I don’t think tender is part of his vocabulary.” He leaned closer to Katsushiro. “Maybe you’d like it rough?”

“Shichiroji-dono,” Katsushiro answered. His face heated and for a moment, he considered Shichiroji’s words. Katsushiro had no problem imagining Shichiroji doing that, but Kambei or Kyuuzo? With Katsushiro as a partner? The thought seemed implausible to him.

Laughing, Shichiroji said, “Well, it seems Kyuuzo has your attention for the moment and you have his. I think you should take it as a compliment, Katsu. Kyuuzo doesn’t do things he doesn’t want to do.”

“You think so?”

Shichiroji chuckled and clapped Katsushiro on the back. “Okay, first, we need to find you some lubricant. I suspect Kyuuzo’s not usually on the bottom.”

Katsushiro didn’t really want to hear the rest, but he felt it reasonable to learn all he could. Possibly, sometime in the future he might want to have sex with someone and Shichiroji would help him be prepared. Not with Kyuuzo, though. No. Never with Kyuuzo, he was too… perfect.


I saw the look in his eyes when I crested the cliff face, blade between my teeth while I leapt free of the loose boulders. I saw his face when I tossed the salvaged gun I’d carried up the cliff to the mechanic. The blush on his cheeks and his shinning eyes made his adoration apparent. None of the others noticed the intense gaze that passed between the young one and me.

I gave my report, my exhausted body obeying me, even though the young one was so close. I had been careless and I had allowed him to infiltrate my thoughts. Even as I climbed the path to my customary spot in the forest, my thoughts drifted to him. I knew the halberd samurai had spoken to him after our last encounter. In fact, I had listened to the entire conversation from the dense forest.

It did not take long for him to come to me. Perhaps only minutes had passed before I heard his footfalls through the brush. I drew my sword on him, torn between my irritation at being disturbed from the sleep I desperately needed and my irritation at my weakness for him. My amusement at seeing his feverish face full of hero worship soothed the edges of my ragged temper. His words, although I do not remember them exactly, were hesitant and full of stammered apologies. As usual, I said nothing, merely watched him: the slight trembling of his limbs, his pupils dilated with excitement, as he struggled to articulate his words. When I said nothing and showed him no compassion, he turned away.

I tried to resist, I really did, but before I knew it, I was up and running. I caught him only feet away, my swords still drawn. For the second time, I pressed the advantage with my weapons and he did not resist. Backing away, nervously licking his lips, his body language cried out for ravishment. Quickly sheathing my swords, I removed my coat and placed in on the ground. I took his hand and gently lay him down.

Katsushiro’s body was on fire and every touch from Kyuuzo's long, graceful fingers made him want even more. Shichiroji’s assessment of the samurai was correct in that Kyuuzo was well skilled and knowledgeable about sex. However, Shichiroji was incorrect about Kyuuzo being rough, and Katsushiro should have known better. Kyuuzo was a methodical being; it made perfect sense he would take the same care in bringing his lover to a plateau of euphoria that he used to take an enemy apart in battle.

Katsushiro caught his breath as fingers teased his nipples, something he never thought would be so erotic. His body bowed, lifting into Kyuuzo’s caresses and Katsushiro whimpered with need. His cock nearly whimpered with him, it was so stiff and straight it rubbed against his belly, pre-come dripping and pooling on his supersensitive skin. A tongue and teeth replaced the fingers at his nipples and Katsushiro jolted with sensation and then sighed with pleasure.

Kyuuzo sat back on his heels, tugging off the remainder of Katsushiro’s clothing. Lying completely naked on the red coat, watching fireflies in the night sky, awash in the spicy masculine scent of Kyuuzo, and his legs spread, Katsushiro felt wanton, needy and wicked. Kyuuzo studied his nude body with a quiet intensity that caused Katsushiro to squirm.

Kyuuzo moved closer and his strong hands traveled Katsushiro’s body, beginning at the shoulders, over his chest, across his stomach, pausing at his hips then resuming their travels. Lightly, Kyuuzo stroked Katsushiro’s skin down his right thigh, his calf and finally, to his foot. Katsushiro shivered, wanting more. Kyuuzo shifted and his fingers began a return trip up Katsushiro’s left leg. Kyuuzo refused to be rushed, but Katsushiro whined with impatience.

Kyuuzo placed a palm on either thigh and pressed them apart, forcing Katsushiro to place his feet flat on the ground, opening himself for further scrutiny. Elegant fingers danced and teased the reactive skin on his inner thighs and Katsushiro’s balls tightened in anticipation of Kyuuzo’s touch on his most intimate regions. Kyuuzo continued to study Katsushiro while his fingers worked.

Katsushiro felt exposed and vulnerable, but excited like never before. “More,” he urged.

Kyuuzo leaned forward and lapped the pre-come from the slit of Katsushiro’s erection. Katsushiro nearly came to orgasm at the feel of Kyuuzo’s tongue rippling against the wet, flared tip of his penis.

Kyuuzo sat back, licking his lips, a teasing half-smile on his face. “You are impatient. Savor what you feel.”

Katsushiro blinked. Dark eyes gazed at him steadily and quickly filled him with more desire than ever. “Kyuuzo.”

Stroking Katsushiro’s cheek Kyuuzo said, “I will fill you, if you will allow it.”

Katsushiro shivered at his words. “Yes.”

“You must be patient.”

“Yes.”

Kyuuzo reached for a pocket in his coat and withdrew a small bottle. Once he opened the stopper, he covered the fingers of his right hand in glistening liquid and then recapped the bottle. His left hand rested against Katsushiro’s right, inner thigh and one moist finger slid below his balls, caressing highly receptive flesh. Stimulation shot through Katsushiro’s nerve-endings, his body arched and he rubbed against Kyuuzo’s fingers. Kyuuzo’s hand pressed against his thigh and hip, stilling Katsushiro. Then Kyuuzo slipped his lubricated finger down the crevice between Katsushiro’s ass cheeks.

Katsushiro held his breath. The tip of Kyuuzo’s finger swirled against his tiny opening, dipping in shallowly and withdrawing, only to repeat the process. Each time, the finger invaded a little deeper and each time Katsushiro held his breath. Shichiroji had warned him of pain, but the progress was so slow and easy there was no pain. Kyuuzo’s licked the tip of his cock again and Katsushiro’s body tensed and then relaxed. He found himself trusting Kyuuzo’s touch more, and when a second fingertip slipped inside next to the first, beginning the routine anew, his only reaction was to moan.

Time stopped while Kyuuzo learned Katsushiro’s body and tested his reactions. Katsushiro allowed it all, his body malleable and vulnerable to the man he worshiped. He enjoyed Kyuuzo’s attention, craved it even. Something was happening inside Katsushiro and he didn’t know how to identify it or how to describe it. All he knew was that the new feeling made his heart ache.

Katsushiro felt as if he was in a fever dream and his only connection was to Kyuuzo. His body was turned, first to his side and then onto his stomach. His hips were nudged gently into the air and Kyuuzo fingers were immersed deeply inside him again. Katsushiro realized calmly there were more than fingers destined to penetrate him.

Kyuuzo placed his hand on Katsushiro’s right hip. Katsushiro could feel Kyuuzo’s wide cock bump against him and then with painstakingly slowness, Kyuuzo began to enter him. Stretched and needy, Katsushiro exhaled, allowing himself to accept the steady, careful invasion. Gentle expansion of Katsushiro’s taut passage had pushed him to the limit of his endurance. When he thought he could take no more, Kyuuzo stopped, sizable cock nestled fully inside him.

Kyuuzo waited. “Are you hurt?”

Katsushiro stared at the red coat and inhaled the scent of Kyuuzo and the forest mingled together; it was heady stuff. Was he hurt? No. He was embarrassed and yet harder than he’d ever been in his life. Kyuuzo, his idol, his hero, had his cock buried deep inside him. Was he hurt? No, but he did find himself unable to articulate exactly what he was feeling. Shame and desire, adoration and humility all mixed to form confusion. Finally, he shook his head, his long hair falling over his eyes. “No.”

Kyuuzo’s large hands floated over Katsushiro’s back and sides, soothing him, calming the cacophony of conflicting emotions inside, and yet firing his blood further with fever-heat. Kyuuzo's left hand slipped onto his chest, fingers spread wide, nearly covering Katsushiro’s entire torso. Kyuuzo curled into him, both hands now traveling Katsushiro’s body, fingers sliding against skin with silken warmth. The profoundly tender and intimate gesture completely stunned Katsushiro.

To think Kyuuzo would acknowledge him, much less treat him with such reverence was overwhelming and his deep feelings for the blond-haired loner increased. He knew Kyuuzo was careful, unlikely to be frivolous with his affection, but this sweetness was more than Katsushiro had ever imagined. Every movement the normally taciturn Kyuuzo made spoke of desire and devotion.

“Kyuuzo,” he said in a whisper, his voice thick with emotion as he tried to convey the totality of what he felt with a single word. Admiration, passion and something deeper were in his voice, and he spoke again, “Kyuuzo.”

“Yes.” Kyuuzo’s one syllable acknowledged all they shared.

Katsushiro felt his lover move gently inside him. “Yes,” he responded, “more.”

Kyuuzo was deliberate and cautious with his initial movements until Katsushiro began rocking his hips back to meet the slow, delicious strokes. Kyuuzo seemed to understand and increased his tempo, twisting his hips and sliding against that amazing spot inside Katsushiro. His release was near when Kyuuzo paused and withdrew. Katsushiro began to protest but Kyuuzo pressed at his side, turning him, placing Katsushiro on his back. Gazing up at the night sky, his legs shaking from exertion, Katsushiro began to realize hours had passed while Kyuuzo made love to him.

He watched fireflies dance and court above him in the trees, his body still aching with need, but feeling a profound sense of completion. When Kyuuzo’s blond head came into focus, his breath caught and he finally understood the deep, unidentified emotion he was experiencing. He could not deny that blossoming from skilled touches and exquisite kisses, what he felt was love.

Sitting back between Katsushiro’s open legs, Kyuuzo gazed down intently, eyes devouring Katsushiro. In response, Katsushiro stared with obvious hunger, watching the play of muscles under Kyuuzo’s porcelain skin, perfect even with the occasional mark of a scar. Finally, with graceful control, Kyuuzo leaned forward, lifted Katsushiro’s hips and slid completely inside him in one movement, and his agonizingly slow thrusts resumed.

Katsushiro growled in frustration and pressed back. He was close to an orgasm, tingling with need, but Kyuuzo had held him on the edge for a long time, denying him the final prize. Katsushiro was exhausted and just when he felt sure, he couldn’t take much more, one of the strong, elegant hands closed over his aching cock and stroked.

“Kyuuzo, I…”

Spicy kisses silenced his words. His heightened senses were electrified and his exhausted body responded with renewed action, reviving under Kyuuzo’s guidance. Moments later, kisses also silenced the low, keening cry that pealed from his throat while he experienced the most intense orgasm of his life.

Kyuuzo’s motions never increased in speed, but Katsushiro’s vision cleared in time to see dark eyes slide shut in bliss. Kyuuzo did not disguise the serene look of passion on his beautiful features and he said one word, “Katsushiro.”

Katsushiro blinked; he had never before heard Kyuuzo use anyone’s name. Inexperienced he might be, but he understood the deep implication. Kyuuzo did not consider this encounter frivolous and Katsushrio’s heart soared. Curling next to Kyuuzo, Katsushiro’s eyes closed in sated fatigue.

I stared at the sky, watching the stars wheeling in the sky while I listened to the cicadas' love call. My lover slept soundly next to me. The war we had been preparing and waiting for would come the next day. While I watched Katsushiro sleep, his dark hair spread out on my red coat, I wished, for the first time in my life, that the battle would never come.