Fuyu no Hana

For a while, he couldn't say a word. He found himself holding back, deeply worried and embarrassed. She couldn't possibly know what she was asking of him. He couldn't, he shouldn't even be considering what he was contemplating. but it was so hard

He closed his eyes slowly. He shouldn't be doing this. But he so wanted to. His entire body ached for it. It had been so long since he'd felt the warmth of another person. He was always too busy to really consider it, striving to keep the crumbling world of Cephiro safe from the many invasions it had been subject to in the last months, and they always seemed to already have someone to love. Apart from Emeraldes, The Pillar of Cephiro, who else had there been in the olden palace ? Now that palace was destroyed. Nothing remained of the Cephiro he had known all his life. the scant survivors had come to live here, in this new palace Emeraldes had created for them. Her parting gift, before she had sacrificed herself for love of Sagato. But most of the women that came to this palace were already married and happy. The rest were too young. And none would understand why the most powerful person in Cephiro, this calm, stoic man who looked like a child, would need something as mundane as somebody's touch. They would feel uncomfortable with him, and he'd look like a desperate man. No. There was nobody for him here.

And having no one for most of his 700 years of existence had begun to feel very lonely. So many people had died already. So many of his students and friends. Cephiro wasn't even a ghost of what it had once been. Even he had not been feeling like himself lately.

The arrival of the three girls from Earth, the Magic Knights foretold in legend, had been even more stressing for him. Not because of the great amount of power he had demanded of himself for their training, but because seeing them, so young and happy; friends and comrades, had reminded him painfully of just how lonely he was. Sometimes, when his presense was not needed at the palace's main hall to deal with his world's impending dangers, he would watch wistfully from afar as Hikaru and Lantis would talk quietly together, their eyes bright; as Fuu and Ferio would walk by hand in hand, Fuu's head resting on Ferio's shoulder. He'd sigh then. He felt so old at those instants, like a father watching over his daughters. They were all so caring and warm with him. He had no doubt that at times they did consider him to be a wise and paternal mentor.

But there was one among them that reminded him, time after time, that he was not a father, but a grown man: Umi.

At first, he thought that he merely felt a studious concern for her. These girl's, little more than children to one as old as himself, had come to Cephiro against their wills. Fuu and Hikaru had been very determined and brave, never once complaining about the mission Emeraldes and himself had almost imposed on them: to save a dying world. But not Umi. She was a tough one to deal with. When both of the other girls had been awed and more than a little cowed at his appearance, Umi had not hesitated to shake him about, poke fun at his size, and hotly demand that he return her home to Tokyo. He knew then that of the three Umi would need more paternal devotion. For a while, he was comfortable giving this devotion to her. She needed someone to care for her in this strange new world, and she needed moral and physical support. He had supplied both to the best of his abilities.

As time wore on, though, and the world of Cephiro slowly crumbled to dust around him, he could feel a growing sadness within himself. At times, he would feel so insignificant, so inadequate. It hurt him more than he was willing to show to see his world falling apart. His will for it to survive had been shred sore and bleeding; he was no longer sure if maybe it would be better to just let it go. To give up.

It was when he discovered the same feelings of sadness and inadequateness within Umi that he realized that he felt much more than a paternal concern for her.

She was, he had to admit, quite beautiful. Tall and fair, with luscious, long blue hair and deep saphire eyes. she was much too skinny, and had grown even more so in the face of the many battles she had endured as a Magic Knight of Cephiro, but she still remained beautiful. Painfully so.

It was not only her beauty that drew him to her, though. She was deeply caring, more so than even she knew. She'd always ask what was wrong with him whenever the circumstances around him became too much of a burden and he'd lapse into long silences. She'd sit with him and drink tea, talking about Tokyo and her fencing group. He never told her much about himself, but that never seemed to bother her. She wanted someone to listen to her, and he would be happy to do just that. Sometimes, he would catch himself looking for a long time at the delicacy of her features, and he would blush and turn away.

It had been harder and harder to speak to her lately. More and more, he found himself looking at her with longing, and his heart would ache. How could he possibly tell her that he, the imperturbable Madoshiclef of Cephiro, was actually falling for a child like her ? It was impossible. He was too old, although he certainly didn't look it with his child's face, and, to his greatest discomfort, he was much too short. Umi was the tallest of the Magic Knights. He couldn't possibly...

Therefore, it had taken him completely by surprise when she arrived at his door one winter night. His back was to her. He had been gazing wistfully at the stars circle slowly in Cephiro's eternal darkness. Hearing her footsteps, he turned around. Her faint, blue aura was tinged with fear and uncertainty, and he took a step towards her, his delicate lavender brows meeting in a look of concern.

"Umi", he began. But she didn't wait for him to start his sentence.

"Madoshiclef", she began, taking an uncertain step into his room. She was wearing her nightdress, he noticed, a loose, white cotton gown. The last time she had sought him out, to apologize for being so rude to him during their first meeting, she had changed into her usual attire, her old school uniform, to go see him. He tightened his jaw as his mind conjectured what this might mean, and he fought to maintain his expression one of studious concern and sympathy. "Madoshiclef", she said again, shackingly.

Slowly, he moved to her side and took her hand, so thin and cold to the touch. He led her to the window, gently. She permit herself to be led quietly. For a moment, her thin brows drew together in a look he could not fathom, but it soon faded.

Waving his hand gracefully at the empty air, he gathered some of his energy and materialized it in the form of a hovering, nebulous seat. She sat upon with a graceful nerveousness. It made him very uncomfortable. For a while, he peered silently into her face. Then, offering her a reassuring smile, he summoned a cup of herbal tea from the palaces kitchen and held it out to her.

"Couldn't sleep again ?", he asked, closing his eyes briefly in a warm smile.

She nodded tiredly and took a dainty sip from her tea. He watched her patiently as she sighed and straightened her shoulders, the tea taking its desired effect. Suppressing a sigh, he turned to the windows and fastened their latices. He let his fingers linger on the cold metal, forcing himself to calm down. His hands trembled slightly, and he bit his lip in an effort to steady them.

Umi coughed slightly. He heard her set the cup down and place her hands on her lap. Her aura flickered like a flame, and he wondered if she was conscious of it. It would be very easy for him to reach down into that sparkling aura and find what it was that so unnerved her. But he respected her too much for that. And he was afraid of what he'd find there.

"Madoshiclef", Umi began once again, toying with fingers and the fabric of her nightdress. She stopped, hesitant, then proceeded, choosing her words carefully. "I've noticed that, well, that lately you've been very quiet. I mean, even more so than usual. And I've hardly spoken to you in days and..."

Startled at her words, he turned towards her, his brows meeting in an apologetic frown. "I hadn't realized. Forgive me, it's just that..." That you... Angry at himself, he swiftly caught his thought and supressed it. Drawing closer to Umi, he tried to smile reassuringly.

"I apologize for not talking to you in such a long time, dear Umi, but I've been so busy this last weeks."

He realized he sounded very lame. He blushed and lowered his head to cover it. He remained staring at the floor, waiting for his cheeks to cease burning, for what seemed like a very long time.

His whole chest felt as if it would burst. She looked so beautiful in the moonlight. Looking up at length, he smiled nervously. She met his look and held it, her blue eyes becoming aqueous. He felt his throat tighten at what he saw reflected in those eyes. Embarrassed, he turned his face away again.

"I'm sorry", he said at length, closing his eyes in a frown. Umi didn't say anything. She clenched and unclenched her hands in her lap, and her pale hair cascaded forward and down her breast. Opening his eyes slightly, he looked at her from the side and fought down a maddening desire to brush that silky hair back. His hands rose reflexively, and he caught and folded them at his chest. An uneasy silence hung in the air, torturously long. He closed his eyes again, wearily. He had to say something. Anything.

"You're lonely, aren't you ?", she said softly.

His eyes flew open then, and he thought his heart would burst. Foolishly, he stammered out, "N-no. I'm fine. Guiding Cephiro in this time of crisis can be stressing, and I thank you for your concern, but--"

His hasty and clumsy words were halted when he saw the look on Umi's face. She did not look scared or confused, as he had hoped, but quietly determined. This was no child. Slowly, hesitantly, he leveled his gaze with hers. Outside, he could hear the wind blow, rattling against the palace's ornate windows. He felt as if the wind was blowing right through him, stirring his very soul with a fire that froze and burned at the same time. His whole body ached.

He cursed softly. At himself, and at fate. Why should he be so damned shy ? For a moment, he consciously let all his real feelings surface for her to view in his eyes, naked and untamed. He saw her gasp slightly and color rose to her cheeks. He smiled tightly at her reaction, then turned his face away.

She watched his quiet profile in the moonlight and swallowed painfully. This was as good as time as any for her to act, and it scared her. She felt as afraid and embarrassed as he surely did.

Slowly, she let her hand rise and reach for his own. He started a bit as he felt her cold fingers wrap around his own. For one instant, a look of apprehension crossed his face. He hadn't even asked. He had no right to presume that he knew what she wanted. He put his hand over her own and tried to move it away, but she held onto it even tighter. A look pleading shone in her eyes, and he felt his face grow hot. there was a tight, pulsing pain in his chest. But he couldn't deny what he saw in her face. She was lonely, too. As lonely as he was.

She rose, and it took all his strength not to turn and flee. His face couldn't get any redder. He was so small. He was hardly more than bone and skin under his robes, why would anyone as beautiful as Umi want a person such as himself ? He flinched as she took his hand again and, kneeling before him, brought it to her cheek.

"You're so cold.", she whispered to herself. Gently, she exerted a soft pressure on his fingers, and he could see in her face that there was no shame in her acceptance of him. She needed him, as much as he needed her.

He felt her soft skin underneath his own, cool to the touch, and, slowly, he turned his hand in her own so that he could cup her chin. His eyes looked into her own, asking a silent question. A long time passed in sweet silence before he smiled, reassured by what he saw in her eyes.

Taking his hand away from her face, he extinguished the pulsing chair and, taking her hand again, gently, he led her towards the bed. She sat on it tentatively. He smiled at her as warmly as he could. She had to trust him in order for this to work. At length, he saw some of her discomfort and fear melt away, and this time he smiled with relief.

"I won't hurt you, Umi", he whispered gently, " I promise."

Turning from her, he walked around the bed. It took only one thought to change into a nightgown. He would have preffered to wear nothing, but she was scared enough already. Going too fast would only ruin it. And he himself didn't feel confident enough for that. Not yet.

He sat beside her, drawing his knees to his chin. She sat beside him stiffly. Putting out a hand, he rested it lightly on her shoulder. She startled at his touch, and he chuckled softly.

"You're going to get a neck ache like that", he joked. She blushed and lay down in an unnatural pose. Watching her, he felt his own discomfort and shame well up again. Bitting his lip, he turned his face away from her. His fingers began to play with the hem of his nightgown absentmindedly.

"You know", he heard Umi say from the darkness, "I always thought you were so in-control, so calm. You were even cold at times. It-it's almost a relief to see that even you can feel lonely."

"Four hundred years is a long time."

"I know", she said. She sounded sheepish, and she knew it. But to her surprise, his reply was quietly serious, and strangely comforting.

"I understand that you do. In a way, as long as seven hundred years seem, they're not much different than just fourteen or fifteen. There is always melancholy in life. We loose so many things. Our lives will be the ultimate sacrifice, at the end. being as happy as we can be in the short span that is our existence can be hard at times." Smiling, he turned towards her, "You have done so well with your life, Umi. Seeing you here makes my heart glad."

He remained silent for a while. His eyes, blue like her own, shone slightly. "Umi", he whispered, "what a lovely name."

Umi blushed. Raising one hand, she tried to brush the hair from her face. Taking that hand in his, Clef traced his fingers down its sides. Gently, he moved the last strands of hair from her face. He could feel her tremble slightly under his light touch. He ran his fingers across her cheek, slowly, feeling her softness, until he reached her lips. Then drew away. His body tensed with apprehension. He knew what he wanted to do, but he was much too scared.

"What is it ? What's wrong ?", Umi asked softly. He couldn't answer, his throat wouldn't work. Trembling, he lay down beside her, hardly daring to touch her. He gazed into the darkness that was her back, his heart beating painfully slow. He was so afraid of this. And yet, all his body clamored for at least one touch. One embrace.

"You can tell me, Clef. I want to help you. You've always been there for me, it's the least I could do for you...Please."

Hearing her words, he suddenly felt very much like the child he resembled. His heart ached. If only he weren't so--

Moaning softly, he let his head fall against her back. Shackingly, his hands rose to encircle her diminutive waist. He felt his face grow hot at the action, but he pressed his slight body to her own, feeling her skin brush against his own. She was warm now. Very warm.

For a while, he just lay there. Relief flooded through every vein of his body as he felt her warm body against his own. He had waited for this for so long. He felt his breath come steadily, hot against her skin. Closing his eyes, taking in the sweet aroma of her hair, he let his hands release her waist. Hesitantly, he brought them down, then slowly upwards, feeling her body under the nightdress. He let his fingers become light and soft, slow and searching. He placed one soft kiss on the back of her neck, waiting to see how she would react. she stiffened slightly, then sighed and relaxed into his arms. He smiled. Moving her nightdress slowly aside, he kissed her shoulders. Trying to keep his kisses soft and gentle, he moved slowly across her shoulder blades and neck. At the same time, his hands reached underneath her nightdress. He gasped as discovered that she wore nothing else. He would have have looked at her quizzically, but he felt a mischieveous twitch to her aura, and he grinned.

As with his first movements, he let his hands feel her slowly. Up her thighs, resting lightly on her hips; he frowned at how much her hip bone protruded. He let his fingers linger near this area, flying swiftly across her stomach in a series of careful strokes meant to appear as one. His wings of a butterfly. Gently, he traced his fingers across her stomach and up towards the cavity of her heart. He stopped a while there, resting his head on her back and feeling her chest rise and fall in deep breathing, sweet and peaceful. Shyly, he brought his hand up towards her neck, trailing it down and to her collarbone. He traced it back down to her heart. Raising his hand slightly, he brought it underneath her breasts. She sighed and shifted slightly. With his fingertips, he caressed the skin beneath her bosom, slowly working his way towards her nipple. He felt its roundness and turned his hand around to run the back side of it gently down her breast's side. He hesitated a moment before he began to circle her nipple slowly with one finger, feeling it grow harder at his touch. Cupping her breast, he felt it press into his palm. Sighing, he kissed her neck once again. He felt her press against him as he gave a light lick to the back of her neck, and he smiled to himself. Pressing against her slightly, he licked at her shoulders, nipping playfully at her flesh.

He let himself fall back on the pillows then, and Umi felt apprehension tighten her belly. It was her turn now. She turned towards him and rested her head on his slight chest. She had no idea what to do. Uncertain, she looked into his face. His eyes regarded her with understanding. He rested one hand lightly on her her head and smiled at her reassuringly.

"Don't worry about it", he breathed, "just being here in your arms is enough for me."

"But..." Umi turned her gaze to the darkness in worry. She had never done this before. He probably hadn't either. She couldn't very well expect for him to touch her and then she do nothing for him. He wasn't really expecting that either; she could tell by the tenseness in his body. But what could she do ? What did he need from her ? He was so shy, even keeping his nightgown on, that he wouldn't tell her what he wanted even if his life depended on it. She sighed. His hand felt so good, stocking her hair. She hugged him tighter, hearing him grunt softly, and buried her face in his chest. He was surprisingly well developed for a supposed child, she thought. Like a miniature man. She smiled at this thought. No wonder he never told her about his feelings. He probably feared her reaction at being with a man that resembled a child. Curious, she ran her hand into his nightgown and across his chest, feeling the bones and muscle underneath. His skin was very soft. Holding her breath, she explored the expanse of his chest, flicking her fingers across his stomach, tracing his ribs. Hoping he wouldn't think her inadequate, she brought her fingers to his collarbone, letting her head rest on his chest, listening to his heart beating slowly. She ran her fingers across his neck, his head falling back gently to allow her freedom, and traced them down to his chest again. He caught a sigh as she moved them slowly down his stomach. She found that he wore nothing else as well and blushed. She gasped as her fingers brushed against hair. He was a child only in some respects then. Quickly, she drew her hand away. "I'm sorry", she breathed.

He stroked her hair again and whispered that it was all right. "I don't particularly like that part of my anatomy myself", he joked. She laughed sheepishly, but then laughed more loosely as he apologized. "It's all right", she said, "I'm just surprised."

Taking a deep breath, she let her hand explore gently down his stomach again. She felt it tighten at her touch, and she tickled his sides, just to see his reaction. He bit his lip and flexed his fingers in her hair. She laughed soundlessly and drew little circles around his belly bottom. It hadn't been as hard as she'd imagined it would be, till now. Slightly more daring, she began to caress the hollow of his thighs, reaching gently downwards to his legs. She stroked his skin lightly, unconsciously looking for his reaction and in what she hoped was a correct imitation of his own light touch. She marveled at the softness of his skin. Lightly, she kissed his collarbone. She felt him start as she nibbled slightly at it. Playfully, she flicked her tongue around his throat and brought it up to his ears. She paused reflectively before nipping at his lobes with her teeth. He liked that. Arching her back delicately, she began to lick his ear, going down his neck. She bit mischieviously at his skin. With her hands, she traveled slowly up and down his body in wave like motions. For a moment, pressing her body against his own, she felt a dizzying disorientation and she thought she'd loose control. Her fingernails digged forcefully into his flesh, and he gasped. With a moan, she pulled back abruptly and fell against his chest.

Catching her breath, she lay in his chest and steadied herself. What a sissy she must be, if only this made her feel so aroused. She blushed as the force of her thought hit her. She sounded almost desperate for this. Trying to drive these thoughts from her head, she snuggled deeper into the warm circle of his hands. She felt him kiss the top of her head absentmindedly.

Closing his eyes, he let his hand travel down, feeling the richness of her hair, and towards her back, flying lightly over, as if he could touch every one of the bones in her spine. He was amazingly fast. It seemed as if he had a thousand fingers, all trailing down her skin. He shifted a bit and brought his fingers to her lower back. He paused a while then, and she could feel his uncertainty. It took a while before he began to run his fingers down her thighs, slowly coming towards the softer, more sensitive skin. He shifted again so that she was on her side and he rested his head on her chest. With one light kiss to her breasts that sent a shiver through her, he let his fingers trace all her inner thighs, searching and urgent, feeling how smooth her skin was, marveling at the litheness of her body. He looked at her after a while, and blushingly told her to forgive him for being so crude and naive. He looked so sweet, his voice husky and gentle, that she smiled. She took his hands and kissed his finger tips. Pressing him to her own body in a fierce hug, she breathed that it didn't matter.

He lay there, listening to her heart beat steadily, then drew away from her hesitantly. Sighing, he took the sides of his robe and began to pull it off. Umi gasped and tried not to cry out. Clothed she could handle, but not this...

Once naked, he hugged his shoulders and curled up into the slant formed by the weight of their bodies. His breath was coming in slow and rythmic sighs. Slowly, he straightened and brought his hands to the ends of her own gown. She protested weakly that she'd do it, but he looked so lost and embarrassed for a while that she couldn't bear to look at his face. She turned away from him, feeling incredibly foolish. They were like two naughty children, afraid that someone would find them. She lay on her side, looking into the darkness, for a long while, growing angry at her shyness. Her nightdress slowly became more and more oppressibly heavy. It almost burned at her skin. She could feel Clef lying silently beside her, holding his shoulders and trembling slightly. Her lips tightened into a thin line. Wordlessly, she pulled off her nightdress in one motion. She waited only a while before Clef's small hands wrapped around her from behind. He entwined his body around hers and sighed. She felt like silk to his skin.

"I could be like this, just like this, all night.", he whispered, his breath coming warm and tingly to her skin. She nodded and kissed his hand. "I'm probably disappointing you...", he breathed to himself. "No", she answered, her voice low, "I don't really need any passion from you." He didn't answer to this.

She felt his tongue begin to flick lightly across her back. What was it about humans and touch, she thought. Then gasped as he hit a particularly sensitive area.

Before long, he had gotten into a kneeling position beside her hips. He began to caress her cheek very softly. She kissed his fingers and let her head rest against his hand, her eyes closed. She looked so beautiful, white and shimmering in the moonlight, that he almost lost his breath. Her breast rose and fell in a cadence of total peace now. Carefully, he brought his lips to the soft skin of her chest, kissing her collarbone and slowly trailing down between her breasts. She heard him take one deep breath, then shifted a little as she felt his tongue lick lightly at her bosom. He took his hand away from her cheek gently, running it down her shoulder and bringing it to rest beside her breast. With his tongue, he worked slowly around her fullness, coming ever closer to her nipple. He licked it tentatively, and felt her start beneath him. Then, carefully, he began to flick his tongue around it, growing slightly more urgent. Umi's chest rose a little as she felt him bite. Her hands rose reflexively towards his head, her fingers twinning around his pale, lavender hair. With a light kiss to her heart, he moved to do the same to her other breast, moving his hand to cup the one he had already tasted. He let his fingers dig lightly into her skin, pinching her nipple between them. She gasped a little, and he liked a little less slowly, nipping playfully at her skin and enjoying the tenseness of her body beneath his own.

Raising himself slightly, savoring the feel of her skin, so smooth and warm next to his own, he began to travel down towards her stomach. she tasted faintly of sea water, and he laughed soundlessly as he wandered what someone who had worn practically the same set of robes all his life would taste like. She gave a quizzical moan and he answered by one, mischieveous lick to her sides. She chuckled softly, then gasped as he nipped at her hips.

Feeling his breath come quick and shallow, he raised his head and sought out her eyes, asking a silent question. She tensed as she realized what it was he wanted. For a moment, uncertainty flooded her aura. Gently, he took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly, hoping that this action would ease her mind. Laying down beside her, he let his hands travel up and down the length of her body, delighting in its contours, striving to touch beyond the surface. His fingers trembled slightly as he rested his hands momentarily on her lower back. Shifting, he brought his lips to her skin and tasted her shyly with his tongue. She shuddered. Rithmicaly, he worked his way down her spine to the small of her back. She tensed as he licked lower than even he himself had planned.

Experimentally, he began to run his fingers across her buttocks, working in ever tightening circles till he slid one finger gently inside. Not enough to touch her sensitive area, but just over the surface. He felt her grab at the covers in shock, and he almost regreated what he'd done. Swiftly, he moved his fingers away. But, to his surprise, he heard her voice, muffled by her hair and the pillow, let out a soft groan of pleasure. He blushed. Perhaps he was getting much too old, even for his own, long lived race. He had never liked that particular part of sexual intercourse that most people so praised. He held Umi from behind and rested his head on her back, uncertain. It wasn't fair that he not comply to her wishes. Still...

"Umi ?", he asked, his voice low and husky in the darkness, "do you feel comfortable ?"

She did not answer. Instead, she turned around, startling him. Before he knew what she was up to, she had pinned his hands at his sides, and, lowering her head, began to kiss his neck urgently. Soon, her kisses became licks. Traveling quickly but rhythmically, she began to go down his chest. He could not move his hands from her grip, but he shifted compliantly to permit her body to nestle around his own. His head fell back against the pillow, eyes closed, letting all of his senses open to her caresses, as she began to lick and nibble at his skin, bitting at his nipples and flicking her tongue across his stomach. She licked at his sides, and felt his back arch beneath her. She was almost in a stuppor. Gasping, he felt his whole body begin to react at her urgent kisses. His chest rose and fell as if he could no longer breathe, feeling her tongue explore the whole length of his body.

His eyes flew open as he felt her first kiss, then lick at the hollow of his hips. She slowed down then, and released his hands. Reflexively, he clutched at the covers, feeling his legs begin to rise and twine around her own. He groaned softly as she gave him one slight lick, then grew slightly more bold, letting her fingers dig forcefully into his hips as she suckled at it lightly. Bitting his lip, he strived not to loose control of himself. His whole body felt as if it were on fire. He could feel his back arch and rise from the bed. His fingers tore at the covers. Once she had satisfied her needs, and let her hands travel shackingly towards his neck, he let his body fall back. His breathing was short and shallow. He could feel her smile tickle at his skin, and he answered with one of his own, more than a little surprised.

Sighing, he rested his head against her own, feeling her fingers race lightly across his skin. Shifting, he kissed her forehead and moved down near her stomach, feeling her breath quicken imperceptibly. Still a little shy, he placed his hands on her hips and exerted just a little preassure with his fingers. Then, he let them travel slowly down to her thighs, bringing them upwards and brushing her hairs lightly. with his tongue, he tasted the hollow of her hips, allowing himself enough time before licking just close enough to her most sensitive area to make her shudder. Bringing his hands to the small of her back, he began once again to draw tightening circles across her buttocks. This time, he let his finger go in slowly, feeling her wetness. She groaned softly and wrapped her arms around his back. Bringing his arms around to her chest, he gently shifted her so that she'd lie on her back. She moved compliantly, and he felt his cheeks grow hot at her eagerness. Resting his head on her stomach, giving her skin a few brief and playful licks, he let his fingers slowly, slowly down to her hairs, twinning his fingers around them. Still a bit apprehensive, he began to run his fingers around her area, feeling its wetness. he flinched a little, but forced himself to go on, for her sake. Gently, he began to caress the inside of her thighs, letting his fingers climb higher as he went. Her legs rose reflexively, drawing further apart. Gently, he brought his fingers inside of her, letting his index finger touch the most sensitive areas, while the others caressed her slowly.

Umi arched her back and took deep breaths. Her eyes closed tightly as she felt a pulsing fire climb up her thighs. His fingers traced inside of her lightly, searching, and she could feel his breath quicken. Lowering his head, he licked at her thighs. With his fingers, he exerted an urgent preassure near her area, drawing her legs further apart. He gave one light lick to her area, then let his tongue flick inside. Her head fell back against the pillow. She let her fingers curl around his hair, her fingernails bitting into his skin. His licks were becoming more and more urgent, sending a bitting pain up and down her sides. She could feel his fingers tightening around her hairs, digging into her flesh, exerting a steady preassure. She gasped as his tongue touched her clit. With a groan, she felt her body arch upward, then fall back on the bed, her breath coming in short gasps.

Breathing hard, he lay his head on her chest and kissed her breast. He was shacking, and put her arms around him in a warm embrace, feeling her body tremble against his own.

"I'm sorry.", he breathed. She shook her head and kissed his head in assurance. Then, letting her hands go slowly down his side, she twinned her fingers around his hairs and his erection one light, playful squeeze. His body pressed against her own momentarily, but then drew back compliantly to allow her hands to work gently up and down it. His hands tightened around her back, and he let his nails bite into her flesh. Her fingers began to fly around his area, brushing lightly, like the beating of gossamer wings. He felt a dizzying pain travel up his spine and he groaned softly. Swiftly, she permit her fingers to trace inside his buttocks, searing and searching, then upwards to cup his erection. Lowering her body, she licked at it. He bit his lip as he felt her suckle at it once again, this time more urgently, almost bitting into him. He could feel her growing more and more urgent, tightening her fingers around his hairs, digging her nails into his flesh, her tongue flicking around him in artless abandon. Arching his back, he dug his fingers deeper into her flesh. The hot flames licked at his soul, running up and down his body in a slow and steady pulse, making him loose control in a haze of pain and pleasure.

Her breathing labored, she lay herself on her back and drew him near. For a moment, their eyes met. Liquid blue, glittering slightly with an inner fire. He smiled gently at her, and she could feel his aura shiver slightly as she returned his smile, tired but radiant. Bending down, he kissed her cheek softly.

"Thank you, Umi.", he whispered brokenly. Then, closing his eyes, slid gently into her. Her back arched exquisitly as she felt searing tongues of fire travel up and down her body. Her hands tightened around him, resting on the small of his back. He sighed and lay his head lightly on her shoulder, falling into an easy, graceful rhythim. He could feel her aura, shimmering blue and pure, wrap around his own. the feeling was sublime. He moaned softly, giving himself completely up to it, drawing her aura near his own, feeling them pulse and shimmer together. Every part of his being felt as if it were on fire. And he felt only Umi, her beauty, her soft skin. Her body moving in a sweet rhythim under his own.

At length, satisfied, they lay in each others arms. Exhausted. their breathing slow and deep. He could find no words to say, and was thankful for her own understanding silence. He sighed and let his hands trail down her sides in a pleasurable exhaustion. Smiling gently, she traced her fingers down his back. He smiled softly as she let them fall gently to her sides and he let his fingers wrap around them. Drawing them close to his lips.

It would be a long night.

***********************

The silver glow of the stars bathed the room in an unearthly light. There was no sun in Cephiro, since Princess Emeraldes had sacrificed herself for Sagato. Emeraldes Himesama He felt his heart grow heavy at this thought, and he pressed closer into Umi's sleeping body, finding comfort in the coolness of her body.

Lifting himself on one shoulder, he turned to look at her.

She lay in total calm, seeming as a sleeping child, although a child she was not. Last night had proven that. Her small lips moved once in the language of dreams, then silenced again. her long, blue hair lay on the pillow. Some strands of it cascaded lightly on her shoulders, forming a curtain over her breasts. He smiled as he saw her body, white and lithe, rise and fall gently in sleep. She looked so peaceful, so beautiful.

Her skin was colder now, in the morning, and it felt silky to the touch. Sighing, he lay down again, gently, so as not to wake her, and pressed his body against her own. He lay quietly in her arms, savoring the feel of her. Soon, he would have to leave this quiet room and return to his duties. But it didn't seem such a lonesome prospect now.

He was no longer alone.

Rising again, he gazed at Umi's sleeping face. He let his aura wrap around her in love, hoping that she would feel it and know that he had not been looking only for someone to share in his loneliness. He felt relief flood his heart as she smiled softly, letting her own blue tendrils of aura wrap around his own in total trust and understanding. He closed his eyes, letting that love and understanding reach deep inside of him, holding him close and safe.

Bending down, he touched her lips gently with his own. He knew now that no matter what the future held in store for him, he would always have this memory to bear him company. This delicate blossoms born in the bitter winter of his world. This warm, understanding love that wrapped around him, accepting him and asking nothing that he could not give. Both of them needing each other; finally finding themselves.

Lying there in her arms, he felt complete peace steal into his soul, flooding his whole body. Her arms rested on his skin like delicate petals. There was nothing else to desire now.

White and pure, theirs to hold and cherish forever, Fuyu no Hana ; A Winter Flower.