~*~

Why is my heart racing and my body burning hot?..........

I couldn't understand why my body is responding to the way his lips trace my veins, that run along from the inner of my wrist to my inner elbow. His touch was so tender, with his callouses that gave that touch of reality to how much he works hard. The way his eyes focus on mine, with more emotion as we walk alongside each other. Never have I felt this way, nor has no one really told me about this feeling.

All so foreign, but similar to love that was only given to my mother. Yet.....

I thinking this is what love truly is, where he kisses every flaw on my flesh. Every crevice and blemish on my skin, he traces his lips over them with tenderness. My heart thrums against my chest, and my head growing lighter and dizzier the more he touches me. How deprived with being touched may seem like desperation, but I craved words of affirmation and to be told that I am enough.

The hot water seeps into my skin, finding my cheeks flushed and my body growing drowsy in response to the need to decompress from months of constant missions.

A finger drifts to my temple and pulls away from my eye, "You look better, there's some colour to your cheeks," He murmurs softly, in a relieved tone. Flinching slightly my eyes flicker to settle on his softened gaze, before averting them feeling my heart rate to spike up. "What? Did I say something?"

Shaking my head the water ripples around my movements, as the water pours into the hot springs with a calming sound.

"Nothing, just.....warm," I lie, while my breath grows shaky.

He furrows his brows in response, and shuffles closer before he runs his fingers through my hair again with care.

"Am I overstepping some boundary?" He asks, curiously with his cheeks flushed red. His hair was dripping and loosely slicked back with strands over his eyes. "Or your embarrassed to have me join you, here?--"

My back was against the edge of the rocky spring, as my eyes widen in surprise.

"No......no, that's not it at all--!" I exclaim, only to be cut off when he takes my chin. His index tilts my head to meet my gaze steadily, while his thumb traces over my lower lip. 

He carefully studies me close, "Hmmm......do you think I might take advantage of you?" he asks, rhetorically with a slight smirk. He's humouring me right now, he's even enjoying his teasing and our banter that we have sometimes. "Or, you think I might do something I'll regret? Or maybe.......it's the tension that's been happening every now and again, since a month or so ago? Mind explaining what this is......now that we have time together?"

He was right about that, because I know no bounds to this feeling. This tension that built from time, is now becoming harder to comprehend.......

Hesitantly my mouth moves, but no words leave me, "...." 

It was like my own flame was slowly igniting within me, and the moment he adds fuel to this flame; feelings will begin to go out of control. Untamed.......

The sound of the ripples reach my ears feeling his presence grow closer, finding his shoulder touching mine. This warmth and intensity of the ambience was making my heart become heavier, and my mind overwhelmed with the tension that slowly builds. The way his rough skin grazes mine, sent electricity running through my arm to the tips of my fingers. The warm feeling deep in my belly cause it to flip, and my breath to become uneven.

"Sorry.........I shouldn't have said anything," He dismisses his question, sinking further into the hot waters. His eyes close with a deep exhale drifting past his lips, seeing how much tension in his body was gathering over time. "Forget it........just focus on healing, your body has been needing it for quite some time......"

He was even still considerate, despite that there was some tension that has been left in the open that is undone between us.......

"Y-You're right," I murmur to him, sinking into the water allowing to feel the hot water to soak into my skin. Briefly blowing bubbles across the surface, I stop and glance to him and noticed how tired he was. The heavy bags that blemished his skin, the slight stress lines on his temple and such was proof that he doesn't even care for himself either. "Seems I'm not the only who, well........doesn't worry about their health?"

He scoffs dryly bursting one of the bubbles I blew, "Don't start something, you know you'll never finish......" seeing a smirk slowly drift upon his lips. "......but I know, but I don't really give a shit about it.....what's the point? Training keeps me fit enough--"

With the flick of my finger to his forehead, his eyes widen and blinks once in surprise.

"Well I do," I pout, with a deadpanned expression. Lowering my hand back into the water covering my chest; looking away sheepishly. "We're slayers.....Hashira's even, and we forget our own well being. So please, let me be clear when I say.......that you should give a damn about your health. I don't even want to imagine losing you, heck I don't want to even think about it. It's something I wish not to imagine........"

It even hurts me when he doesn't care about himself sometimes.........

He chuckles and nudged my arm causing the water to ripple around us, "Awe, now you're getting all sentimental on me......come on, where is that confidence of yours?" he licks his bottom lip, and clears his throat. "Even if I die, you'll find someone else to hang around......."

My stomach sank when he spoke like that, dreading those very words as if he's a lose end that I can easily cut off and throw away.

Falling quiet I lean back against the edge of the spring, and closed my eyes, "Don't you dare.....say that again...." I firmly spoke, with slight anger in my tone. ".....You're more important than anyone I know......."

He falls silent in response, as if he's never heard me this serious before....

"Sorry........."

~*~

AT THE INN

"Chamomile tea?"

Gazing at the beautiful flowers in bloom not far from the verandah, the scent of the hot springs fills the air which cleanses my senses. Drying my hair from a quick shower after the hot springs, my feet padded over to hang the towel over the shoji screen. The warm glow of the paper lanterns created a warming atmosphere, which added to the comfort from the hot springs and the Yukata I wore.

"Yes please," I reply softly, making my way over to Sanemi and sat beside him at the small tea table. I relax on the pillow beside him, as he serves me a small cup of chamomile tea. "Thank you..."

Sipping the warm tea, I felt the soothing sensation roll down my throat. This beverage had properties that could help me fall asleep, due to my insomnia and anxiety as of late. 

"Heard some of the sword smith's talking very highly about you, earlier," He spoke up, breaking the silence while pouring him a cup of tea. He takes a gentle sip and swallows with a heavy exhale, "Seems they hold high regard of you, even some of the men......seem rather......" he clears his throat awkwardly, averting his eyes. ".....fond of you."

Arching a brow a chuckle leaves me, "You must be misreading things again," scoffing at the thought, bringing my cup to my lips for a sip.

"The hell I'm not misreading," He corrects me sharply, and nudges my bicep gently. "Don't believe me? Even the chief seemed rather smitten.........but that's only because we don't have to wear masks.....tch creepy old geezer......."

Shaking my head I place my cup to my lap, "This is the same conversation, when we went to that village with the weird bug looking demon," my eyes reach his, while my index runs around the rim of my cup. "There are far better looking women out there, and besides.....they're probably surprised to see us Hashira's around. That's the reason, nothing else--"

He growls under his breath and sighs, "You really don't take compliments....like at all?" with a slight sneer. Feeling a shiver run down my spine, I soon felt bad for some reason despite that I clearly didn't believe him. 

Closing my eyes for a moment; my shoulders fall forward and leaned my head back.

"If I take a compliment proudly; it would be boastful," I spoke up, my eyes gazed half-lidded up at the ceiling seeing the flickering shadows by the candle light. Rolling my head down slowly, I gaze towards a green Japanese painted vase, in the corner of the room. "If I think I'm beautiful; I'm too proud and stuck up. If I take care of myself and focus on my health; that's considered selfish for others........"

He suddenly falls silent, allowing me to sip my tea as I stare at the floor for a moment. It was how I felt my whole life, but now considering the compliments......I'm scared to even feel boastful about myself. 

Suddenly I felt him lean over and took my cup from my hand, and then he tugs me into his lap without even a warning. He adjusts me with my thighs either side of his hips, as one hand rests at the small of my back while the other rests just beneath my right breast. 

My eyes searching in his own; wondering what was going on in his head, "I'm sorry if I've said something wrong, but if you want the truth..........." he leans closer and leans his temple against mine, with his warm breath coaxing over my lips.".........you're the most gorgeous woman I know, from head to toe. From inside and out, you've created this beauty that has no compare........just by being yourself."

My heart pounds against my chest as my eyes flutter shut, feeling myself moved with these honey-coated words that sweetly touched that inner child of mine.

His thumb caresses small circles on the underside of my breast, while his hand tightens near the small of my back to the curve of my hip, "You're not boastful, let alone stuck up......" a chuckle leaves him, pulling away meeting his softened gaze. ".......I'm proud of my body, that's why I wear my uniform with my abs showing......and my scars? I'm proud of them, and I don't give a shit what the others think or say. However, you're not me.......and I can't make you switch it off, let alone forget. Cause you're you."

His hand drifts up and squeezes my chubby hip, while light tears begin to sting at the corners of my eyes as I blink them away.

"Now you're being damn sentimental," I remark, with a shaky chuckle. "Just insult me......seems normal to me.."

A deep chuckle leaves him as his grip tightens a little, his thumb caressing beneath my breast in soothing circles before drifting down my plush waist. 

"There's nothing insulting to comment about," His eyes search into mine; whilst his thumb and index fiddle with the material of my yukata. "Am I not allowed to compliment you? Or am I just acting out of sorts?"

Licking my bottom lip, I part them to speak, but I felt no remark to utter out. It was as if his own words had an effect on me, and I was left speechless. It was the way his deep mellow voice, making my knees weak despite the position I was in.

Silence falls between us with only my heavy breathing, as his fingers traces my figure. My head spins and felt foggy, experiencing this feeling for the first time. It was as if I'm burning into submission under his gaze, but not by intimidation but by security. Knowing who he was, and how safe I felt, this attraction felt more than just comrades. I didn't realise I could feel this way, especially when we've only been teasing or casually chatting.

 This felt more......intimate.....

His eyes soon flicker from my eyes, down to my lips before meeting this new intense look. Both our breaths gradually have gone heavy; the night's ambience grew to a comfortable silence. It was as if time stopped, as our faces draw slowly closer in every so often. His breath coaxes over my lips, as if he spoke through his warmth. It left my body tingling, with the tension building to an arousing feeling. 

His nose grazes across my cheek, with a more soft dominating gesture as his hands rubs my plush hips with security.

My breath hitches, "Sanemi~....." but he shushes me with a gentle squeeze to my hips, causing a whimper to thrum in my throat.

His lips brush over the lobe of my ear, and kisses it gently, pulling me closer into him with my hands resting over his chest for support.

"Just tell me what you feel........" He whispers, in a sultry undertone. His nose grazes over my cheek, feeling my body become submissively naturally with the heated tension. The feeling felt overwhelmingly good, that it slowly began to feel more addicting. ".......How do I make you feel....how my hands and body make you feel against yours.....?"

A soft sound slips past my lips when his hands drift to my thighs, gripping them beneath the robe of my yukata. His calloused thumbs trace over my doughy flesh, and the marred scars that blemish my skin.

"......I feel warm, like something wanting ignite inside my belly," my words were breathless, feeling my head growing empty and only being filled with just Sanemi's touch. "I can't breath properly, but........in a good way......"

"Let me ignite that fire......" His lips trace across my jawline, before tracing over the corner of my lips. His hand cups underneath my thighs drawing me closer, til we were flushed together with my breasts pressed against his chest. Lifting my head, his gaze pulls away and meets mine; his eyes clouded with an unfamiliar tenderness behind them. His fingers brush my bangs gently, tucking a strand behind my ear, before gliding down to the base of my neck.

Swallowing thickly as my heart pounds against my chest, he leans forward towards my lips.

~KNOCK~KNOCK~

Sanemi and I flinch in response, realising we were caught in a moment.

"Lord Shinazugawa! Lady Mizutsuki!" A feminine voice calls. "Dinner is ready and waiting!"

Sanemi growls underneath his breath, his grip tightening while pulling me closer possessively, "Tch....geez, wrong timing," with a mutter.

Chuckling to myself I turn my head to the door, "Thank you, we will be there shortly!"

After hearing the person's feet disperse from behind the door, I sigh deeply feeling my cheeks burning profusely like a child. Sanemi's grip tightens briefly before reluctantly releasing me, as I stand up straightening my Yukata. My eyes were hesitant to meet his now, due to snapping back to reality as my heart wouldn't calm down.

"W-we better......go and eat...." I stammer softly, gesturing to the door. 

He nods with a slight look of annoyance, "Yeah...."

~*~

MEANWHILE ~ (Sanemi's POV:)

Why did it have to happen so quickly?.........

The way her body sat on me as her plush thighs rest either side of me, as her warmth radiated against my own. This feeling I've never felt, yet my body kept moving on instinct; the way my hands knew what to do. It was like this fire ignited inside me wanted to be stoked and stirred, till it became wild and uncontrollable. 

Her skin was still smooth despite her scars, make her so much more attractive. Even if she earned anther scar, it was another perfect flaw added upon her velvet skin.

How did my confidence surface so strongly, and with no ounce of hesitation. Her eyes were meeting mine with such intensity of an unfamiliar expression, that made my body turn on wildly, wanting to caress her figure. The way her curves fits perfectly in my hands, filling my hands with more warmth. She was so soft and comforting, that even taking it slowly was enough for me. 

However with the way I felt in that moment, was not how I saw her when we first met.

A few years since we met we've been comrades, and even I didn't think we were friends til Kumeno mentioned that we were. I realised we were friends, regardless with what I thought before Kumeno left us. She was so easy going, conservative and kept to herself and put others before herself. She trained her body til she drops, and endured the cruel treatment her big brother gave her til his last breath. Her drive to continue rising to Hashira, slowly began to open my eyes to the person she's become.

She's changed so much, and the way I look at her.............makes me want to hold onto her.........to not let her slip past my fingers......

Her eyes were always so tender, like she was the calm in my storm......

......she's like the moon, in my darkness........

Shit.........why is she so beautiful? She's so patient, that she even calms me down when I'm pissed or arrogant. She has this presence that makes me switch off the rest of the world, by just simply saying my name. I felt this feeling for a while, and even the tension everywhere we went was like this for a few months. Something has changed........

It was so foreign to me, but the feeling somehow made my pulse quicken in a good way......

She was right there in the palm of my hand, as if our bodies were meant to embrace each other like this. From head to toe she's grown into a woman, that she's become something that I wouldn't believe she would become in my eyes. It was unplanned. These entire sentimental feelings have had a tight grip on me, that I can't even erase them......

.......I can't even deny these feelings, because my heart only yearns for her.......

........I want Hayami, more than anything......

..........No, I need her...........

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