Wearily closing the gate behind him, Kenshin turned to gaze appreciatively around the dojo yard. No longer rurouni, travel merely made him eager to return to this place, these people. Home. His errand had taken longer than he'd hoped, if not longer than he'd truly expected. Still... a week was an interminably long time to be away from here, from her.
It was late; past midnight and still several hours before dawn. There was no one awaketo welcome him, the house and out buildings were dark and near silent. He sighed, wanting to be asleep as well, curled up next to and around her. He shook his head at the thought. Not the way I am now, dirty and travel stained. Bath first, then bed.
Too tired to heat any water, he made do with what was at hand, the chill in it mild thanks to the warm spring air. Finally clean for the first time in two days, he made his way to their room. The door slid open and shut with barely a sound, moonlight shining on her sleeping form, guiding him as he entered.
Taut muscles relaxed at the sight of her, tension he hadn't even been aware of gradually fading away. She was curled into a painfully tight ball in the middle of their futon, her unhappiness at sleeping alone clear. His mouth quirked in a slight smile when he saw she was wrapped in one of his gi, remembering how she'd once said it made her feel a little like he was holding her. She'd been adorable then, and she was adorable now. And lonely, she definitely looked lonely.
He slid under the covers next to her, gathering her sleeping form in his arms. At his touch, she began to relax from her uncomfortable fetal position; her head snuggling into the crook of his neck and shoulder, her limbs tangling with his own. Still asleep, she sighed his name in recognition. He whispered a wordless answer, and then slumber rose to claim him as well.
Kaoru smiled softly as warm lips closed carefully around her fingers, strong teeth nibbling teasingly at the tips in an effort to wake her. One at a time he took them deep into his mouth, caressing the captured digits with his tongue. Gentle suction tugged at each just before he released it, stirring a trembling in her stomach. Kenshin . . . Pressing a kiss into her palm, he switched his attention to the other hand, repeating the process before shifting to the curve of her neck. A low, encouraging sound escaped her as his open mouth slid slowly upwards.
"Wake up," Kenshin breathed, biting gently on her earlobe. She shivered slightly in response, but stubbornly refused to open her eyes, unwilling to chance that his return was more than a dream. His laughter was hushed, her reluctance challenging him to provide an incentive, a reason to relinquish illusion in exchange for reality. Dusting kisses across her eyes, her parted lips, he accepted, more than willing to convince her; needing to touch fully as much as she needed to be touched.
Bringing his hands to rest briefly on her hips, he caressed the soft skin there before stroking lightly up the curve of her waist to her breasts, cupping them in heat and sensation. Kaoru arched her back, practically purring with pleasure, her breath catching as his thumbs brushed her nipples once, twice, readying her. A moment later his mouth came to tease first one peak then the other with fleeting kisses, and her hands tangled in the softness of his hair, guiding his willing lips to caress where she needed them most.
His mouth playing tenderly over her breasts, his hands slipped down over her flat belly, savoring the silk-satin texture of her skin. Feather-light, his fingers danced over her thighs, parted slightly in invitation; Kaoru held her breath as he stroked upwards along the inner curves, then exhaled in disappointment when he retreated. Kenshin's low chuckle sounded again, sending vibrations trembling up her spine, and in a daze she heard him whisper, "Wake up," a second time. She bit her lip, afraid that opening her eyes would shatter the dream, waking her to find he still hadn't returned. His touch was so sweet, so welcome . . . she couldn't bear it if he disappeared, leaving her alone once more. Aching, empty, needful, she arched in supplication as his hand began its journey upwards again. Mewling pleadingly when he withdrew after barely brushing her warmth with his fingertips, she shook her head in response to his coaxing, "Koishii . . . open your eyes." Her hands tightened on his back as his slid upwards a third time; giving in he caressed her lingeringly, his fingers slipping gently inside as she moaned in welcome.
The sound of her own voice pushing her over the edge of wakefulness, she raised heavy lids to find him smiling down at her; breathed his name a moment before he captured her mouth with his, kissing her deeply, sweetly, possessively. His tongue delved between her lips to taste, hungry for her sweetness, telling her without words how much he'd missed her. Violet eyes glimmered with a faint amber fire when he released her, and she smiled softly in return, wanting the claiming she saw in his gaze. He's home, he's home, he's home! The litany sang through her senses, her body trembling for completion.
Kenshin felt her shivering, breathless welcome, but instead of rising above her, he let his mouth return to the curve of her breasts, then glide purposefully lower. All of you, koishii, he silently insisted, let me reclaim all of you. He nuzzled her smooth stomach, his tongue dipping coaxingly into the well of her navel, her scent sweet and heady. All of you. Every part.
Too much, it'll be too much. "Dame," she whispered, even as she rose up onto her heels, bringing herself closer to him, "dame." His hair flowed across her stomach and thighs, soft as silk, sensuous and exciting against her skin.
Strong hands closed warmly around her hips, leaving her bereft, yearning; the pulse-point between her legs throbbing for his touch. "Naze?" His tongue flickered teasingly against her, briefly tasting.
For a moment Kaoru was unable to think, conscious only of that fleeting caress and a hunger for more. She wanted what he offered fiercely, wanted to give him what he sought even more... yet she knew she would shatter with the gift. "Scream," she finally managed, the one word explanation all she was capable of.
"Aa," he agreed, his voice rich with masculine satisfaction, wanting to hear her. All of you.
Kaoru whimpered, her entire body straining towards him as his mouth closed over her, her hands tangling in his hair. Oh please oh please oh please... The stroke of his tongue was heaven, his leisurely sampling something more. Murmuring soothingly, wordlessly, low in his throat, he teased and tasted; sobbing his name, wholly desperate, she arched into his touch. She was melting, and he was drinking her in; shattering, and he collected the pieces, holding them close to his heart, keeping her safe in his arms until the pleasure abated.
Kenshin's thoughts were bright and possessive as she cried aloud the familiar syllables of his name, telling him who she wanted, who she needed; pleading for him to catch her as she tumbled over the edge. Curving his hand protectively over her core, he raised his head to watch her, crooning encouragement. His lips slid softly over hers while her body still trembled from the aftershocks, the kiss gentle yet demanding. He smiled when she shifted against him, her legs wrapping around his waist to hold him to her, settle him against her; still wanting, not yet whole. "Tadaima," he whispered teasingly, entering her slowly, making them one.
Kenshin . . .
Clutching his shoulders, swamped by sensation, Kaoru attempted to respond in kind. "O . . ." she whispered, gasping desperately for breath; "O . . ." as he moved smoothly within her; and Okaeri . . . she thought as rapture engulfed them both.
Kaoru opened her eyes for the second time that morning, content to find herself wrapped securely in his arms, her back cuddled against his chest, his red hair spilling like flame across her shoulder and breasts. Her toes curled at the memory of what he'd done to her, not so long before, and she flushed pink. And I used to think he was so polite! Not that I didn't enjoy it, demo . . . She flushed a little brighter.
"Ohayou," he whispered, snuggling his head into the curve of her shoulder, pressing a gentle kiss against her neck.
"Ohayou, Kenshin." She smiled as she whispered what he hadn't let her before, "Okaerinasai." Sighing in contentment, she slid her palm caressingly over his arm, feeling safe and cherished and wonderfully complete.
"Arigatou," he responded, laughing affection apparent in his tone, "I'm very glad to be back."
"Kenshin!" Face flaming she turned in his embrace, the gentle scolding she'd intended fading from her thoughts at the tender, teasing look in his violet eyes. "I missed you," she murmured instead, closing her eyes against the sudden prick of tears and nuzzling kisses along his collarbone, "I missed you."
He gathered her to him, his arms tightening about her, his leg slipping between hers as his lips skimmed her brow. "Sessha mo." he whispered, and felt the slight waver in her indrawn breath when she smiled against his shoulder. "Kaoru-koishii?"
She shook her head slightly, cuddling closer. "I just want to be held." Forever and ever; never let go.
Murmuring wordless agreement, he settled his cheek against the softness of her hair, his hand idly smoothing over her back.
It was good to be home.
There is a story to go around this . . . I just have to get the time to write it. The surrounding story will explain where Kenshin went and why. It's actually going to have a plot! (Unbelievable, but true).
Komagata Yumi
yumi@sekihara.dreamhost.com
First Draft: September, 1998
Last Revised: June 21, 1999