The Pearl of Noctilucence [P]

[Comatose]

The small amount of light from outside during this period of deep twilight was all that provided any source to allow one to see in the dark room. My house, which was stored away on the outskirts of the village, was always dark like this. The power provided out here wasn't steady, and often for small stints it'd be dark like this. It was for that reason that the house was usually lit by a combination of light and candlestick. Today was one of those days where the power had decided to go off, much to my uncaring. It needed to be dark to veil what was happening that night, at least from the innocent gaze of a passerby.

The sheets were wrapped snugly around her body and mine which huddled closely together on that bed that was two sizes two huge for just one. It was the aftermath of a happening and the intermission between events. That's not to say I was sleeping in any capacity, my arms about her frame as I held her close, listening to the ebs and flow of her breathing. I found the practice soothing in some odd way when this close, along with the beating of her heart, which had hastened because of prior actions.

My hands, which were simply at the small of her back, massaged the area before pulling her even closer. I couldn't help but press my lips against hers, applying just enough pressure that it could be called 'rough'. Somehow, I was lost in the passion of it all. It wasn't as if this was the first time that I was given a chance to kiss and taste those lips of hers, but it sure felt like it. I couldn't get enough of the taste.

[addy-hime ♥]

Waking up at this hour, after such strenuous activity and lack of rest, was like being dredged from the depths of Hell and pulled again into the world of the living. My senses were returning to me piece by piece, as were my thought processes; the first to spark recognition was, of course, feeling. Warmth surrounded me in a gentle, comfortable haze, whispering sweet nothings into my ear to lull me back to sleep, but the touch of a hand at my back was enough of a grounding point to fight it. I knew this hand. It belonged to my fiance, recognizable in its shape and texture of the flesh against my bare skin.

Asato.

My lips parted in a vain attempt to articulate his name, but I managed only to make a soft whimpering sound. It was then that my auditory and olfactory senses came back to me, in a rush that was most overwhelming—I could hear the beat of his heart, so close, and could smell the mixture of sweat and cologne on his body. I wanted him, just as I always wanted him; my limp form did not protest when at last he pulled me in closer and forced his lips against my own waiting pair. Much to my surprise, the process of awakening sped from here, and I was able to open my eyes far enough to take in the sight of his tanned face close to mine, of our lips meeting and my own finally reciprocating the affection.

I did not allow it to last long, however. I tipped my head to the side and broke the contact, gasping for air, as if I had forgotten how to breathe all that time. I knew already that I must look a mess, my hair tousled as it was, but I could not find the time to actually care. Normally, such a thing would have irked my perfectionist nature past the point of comfort. Instead, my arms slowly lifted and slid over his shoulders and around his neck; I entwined my fingers in the place where I could first feel his spinal vertebrae.

"I love you, Asato," I whispered to him, the urge to remind him of this fact overwhelming me. I never wanted to leave this place; I never wanted to let him go, or have him release me, either. It was an impossible dream as a Kage, but for now, I allowed myself the intense joy of pretending I was just another shinobi in the village of the sand.

[/justify][/font]

[Comatose]

SPOILER: Click to show

I love you, Asato. The words hit hard, causing my heart to almost skip a beat as it rose in tempo. Whenever she said those words I almost couldn't handle it. My entire body reacted like this, so oddly. It was something I couldn't help and since knowing had embraced. The feeling was one I had never felt before, and always drew me into such compulsion to be even closer to her. In the current situation of course, with this measure of closeness, it was almost nonsensical. I had her here, as close as could be.

I wanted more though, and didn't hesitate to show to her such. My hands had reached even further down than they had before, and idled at a more explicit position, pulling up her closer from here. As she was a bit shorter than I this allowed our heads to be completely level and for me to plant a second kiss even more easily on those lips of hers. The intoxication with those lips didn't cease even only a few seconds after the first one was planted only seconds before. This kiss was even more wild than the first though, as I could only want more and more.

Those hands of mine could not help but lustfully move about themselves, traveling from their formerly idle position to one much more compromising. They pushed against in a manner that was only appropriate in these such settings, the whole of the hand grasping at the exposed flesh. These squeezes were of course ginger and loving, directed at the spots I knew would entice her best, and get a most notable reaction I wanted out of her. Oh how I wanted to hear.

[addy-hime ♥]

SPOILER: Click to show

A quiet squeak escaped me, unbidden, as his hands lowered and grasped me in a place that gave him much more leverage over my body. I was already curled snugly against him, so I did not see how it was possible to pull me closer, but ... apparently it could be done. Already I could feel a flush rising up along my chest and neck, perhaps even into my cheeks, and was glad that the twilit room provided little light by which to see my almost virginal reaction to these touches. He had been my first partner in this way, and—I hoped—my last; we had not the leisure time to partake very often, so I was still quite inexperienced with the process. It was a little daunting, sometimes, to be with someone who seemed to have much more practice.

"Shujin-sama," I moaned against his lips as they assaulted me, over and over. This was a name I had used as a joke when we first met, but now it was reserved for these more intimate sessions. The dual-meaning still made me giggle mentally sometimes, but not now, as I was too enthralled in the heat of his body and the near-bruising crush of those kisses. He was faster than me, more passionate; I could barely respond by adding pressure to the lip-lock before he drew back and dove in for another. I knew already that I would have to hide away from the world for a while after this, if only to dodge the necessary explanation for why my normally pink twins were red and slightly swollen.

Asato's hands were moving again, squeezing me, trying to get the reaction he so craved. There was a part of me that wanted to give into his every demand, no matter how violent or how sinful of the flesh, and there was a part of me that wanted to fight it. We were equals, after all. I had my free will. But it felt so good; eventually, I caved into his desires. My body arched into his hand and I moaned, pleasure sparking down my spine and making me shiver with anticipation. I wanted more, more than even this, but it simply was no possible. It was too soon, I was not ready to take him again yet.

My left hand released its twin and slid free from his back, grazing the naked flesh of his shoulder on the way. I stopped only when I was able to nudge my fingers into his own, stopping the incessant groping with a rather childish holding of the hands; I knew he was not about to ignore me, not now. There were times when I had to remind him that I was, in essence, not yet as mature as he was. "A-Asato. Can we ... stop?" I murmured, my voice cracking slightly with a sudden surge of irrational fear. This was the first time I ever attempted to deny him, and I worried he would be upset or angry at the sudden withdrawing of pleasure ... or, rather, the withdrawing of the promise of it. "I don't think I can. Yet." The elaboration felt necessary. Even still, my grip tightened on his hand, holding back the tremble I felt traveling through my arm.

I love him. I love him, so very much. He was the only one I would ever consent to give myself to this way, and I hope he felt the same, even now.

[/justify][/font][/spoiler]

[Comatose]

SPOILER: Click to show

The sounds that had escaped her lips when I teased at her were the very ones I had so wanted to enjoy. Like her kisses, I could never quite get enough of them. I enjoyed the fact that the simplest of touches would incite such a reaction such as this. If given the chance I would have indulged myself more often with this, if only to hear those sounds.

Shujin-sama. The word had sent me off a bit. I had remembered it from our first encounter. Then she had used it as a joke, to play off the situation that was dealt to her. Since, then it had only used during the comfort of our excursions such as these, during little stints of passion. The kiss was broken to reply to her with my own "Tsuma.. " It was effectively the only thing I ever called her when it was just the two of us. Though we hadn't been married officially yet, it reflected my feelings toward her. The legal binding of our love didn't matter nearly as much as the feeling. In my eyes, she was already my wife.

A-Asato. Can we ... stop? I was almost lost in the passion of it all before she said that, my mind rather blank on any other subject other than her and the rather explicit things that had came to mind when thinking of her. However, with this I was snapped back into reality. I don't think I can. Yet. Though the times we shared together like this hadn't been many from my experiences with her I had almost never believed that I was her first. That she was inexperienced, and still was not used to it all. It was not because of anything trivial like not literally believing her — I knew the truth was that I was her first, but because she was amazing. Sometimes, I forgot her inexperience because of this.

"Of course, love." I replied, while ushering my hands from her positions back to the small of her back, giving it a little rub. "You were. . amazing before you know." I knew she'd object, and even blush, and maybe even try to object with the fact despite it being so true.

"You know I'm more than content with just laying here next to you."

[addy-hime ♥]

The suddenly quick thrum of my heart beat gradually returned to normal as my mind processed what had been said: it was okay to stop. Did I truly believe Asato would not agree to this wish in the first place? No, of course not—he loved me far too strongly to injure me in such a manner. Even still, I never wanted to leave him flustered or annoyed, and that had been my biggest concern throughout this affair.

"Thank you," I whispered back. No matter how many times he said it, being called Tsuma was still as wonderful as the first time. I am his wife, he is my husband, and no other thing mattered. Except perhaps his nonchalant compliments of such a ... a scandalous situation! As predicted my blush grew darker; I could feel the heat expanding along my cheek bones, but this time I did not bother to conceal it. Instead, I drew back far enough that our gaze could meet, my lips set into an embarrassed pout. "No! Don't say such things!" I practically whined, squirming at the notion that I could have advanced sexual graces. I was new to this, I knew not whether he just flattered me or whether he was telling the truth. "You're so bias, Shujin-sama ... !"

I felt that the topic of conversation needed to be changed, as fast as humanly possible. Without waiting for him to reply I leaned forward, planting my lips upon his again. This was a chaste kiss, lacking passion; it was more to deter him from speaking than to arouse him. No matter how many times he assured me that being curled together like this satisfied him, I knew what would satisfy him more, and I did not have the stamina to go again so soon.

"You know," I breathed, breaking the lip lock with a quiet gasp. "I was thinking, a few days ago, and I just remembered now. The Council hasn't made a move on me recently. Do you think we should be worried? Should we be more cautious?" It was nagging at the back of my brain, an instinctive feeling to protect myself from unseen dangers.

[Comatose]

I enjoyed my time with Youka regardless of our activities. Even the most mundane or tedious of tasks seemed interesting so long as It was done with her. With this said there was no way I would be frustrated or annoyed by her not wishing to continue with anything, the thought seemed almost preposterous. It was not something that actively came to mind and thought about, it was merely a reaction of love and want. I was not a slave to that feeling, nor did I base any of my actual feelings around it. I loved her, unconditionally.

"So what if I'm bia----" Stopped by that kiss, I could not continue what I wanted to say. It didn't really matter though, considering that I knew she knew exactly what I would say, which was partly why she placed her lips to mine. I indulged myself in the taste of those lips again, breaking it only as she did, to reply to her thoughts.

"I've noticed that as well, love. And, unfortunately, I've been just as skeptical about it." I had no doubt that the council would not give up their plotting to remove her from office, and even so, the plot wasn't even the worst part about the whole ordeal. The worst part was the fact that the main contributor and mastermind was hiding in plain sight among the council. I was fairly certain that one person out of that group was behind the majority of the attacks on my soon to be wife. I was only able to take the long days of patrolling about the village as an ANBU because I knew that indirectly, that made her safe.

The thumb of my right hand which was laid idle upon her lower back stroked the area in a circular motion. The touch was meant to convey an emotion of understanding, and the wish to lift the burden. She didn't need to be afraid of anything and take it upon herself, as she did often. I was there to help; forever.

"Whatever they are planning, it'll happen soon, and much to my dismay it'll probably be bigger than any attempt at your life and livelihood before it."

I wouldn't let them lay a finger on her.

[addy-hime ♥]

I'm not sure why I thought hearing Asato's opinion on the Council would make me feel better; in fact, it had quite the opposite effect. Knowing without any shadow of a doubt that even my love—the strongest of the strong—was worried, only confirmed my suspicion that the next attempt would be aimed not only at my position, but also at my life. My chest swelled as I inhaled, reveling in the feeling of anger that grew deep in my stomach, pleasurable but far different from the sensations of just hours prior. It was righteous fury: I wanted them to try to kill me, so that I might punish them at last.

But this strength left me just as quickly as it had come. I felt the soothing caress of his thumb, rough from years of the hard shinobi life, brush across my back and fell limp against him yet again. It was only he who could calm me this way, only he who made me feel safe and loved in a village that plotted my demise on what was possibly a weekly basis—they held their meetings privately, after all.

"I'm prepared, my love. Whatever they throw at me, I'm more than capable of throwing it right back." My lips quirked into an ironic smile as my mind wandered, brushing over the technique I had just perfected in its entirety: Kazekaeshi. Now, even his paper attacks would be hard-pressed to so much as scratch me. I couldn't help but feel proud of my defense, even if I still had no feasible way of harming him, either. At least we were on equal footing in some regards; for now, that was all I asked. There would eventually come a time where his win would turn into our stalemate, and then our stalemate into my victory. Then, I could gloat and bear the company of his precious Kusanagi.

My thoughts were interrupted, along with anything my fiance may have been saying at the time. I stiffened, my eyes dilating and widening as a bank of information and surge of chakra melded with my body. I saw the journey my clone had taken, and witnessed first-hand the way I waited at the gates of Kumogakure with no alliance or even the presence of the Raikage to show for it. I blinked and leaned back, focusing my attention on Asato fully, once again.

"My clone has just returned. I want to say that the Raikage did not accept our offer of alliance, but ... as it turns out ... he did not even have the courtesy to meet with me. I was ignored! How rude," I pouted, immediately wondering what this situation could mean for our villages. Perhaps my soon-to-be husband would have a more intellectual opinion on the matter?

[/justify][/font]

[Comatose]

The truth was a little more different than one would imagine actually. I was not worried about the attacks themselves that the plotting council would make but the consequences and effects they'd have on Youka. I knew she was an adult, and not a child — I knew this very well actually, but I had effected her adversely through actions before and seen the results. Ever since I beheaded Aero in her company, each time the fabled Kusanagi even got close to drawing blood again, she broke down; frightened. There was nothing more that I wished for now, than to not have impacted her in such a negative way — even if indirectly. I wouldn't let the council do any more such damage through their plotting, ploys, and attacks.

Youka and I had been together for a while now, and with that came the ability for me to watch her strength grow. There was an amazing difference between the Youka of today and the Youka of which I met upon that sandy shore. Her ability to use the jutsu she so attempted to hone was masterful, and even comparable to my own strengths. There was little to no doubt that the time was fast approaching that she would supersede my own battle capabilities in this way, and easily defeat me who she seemed to put in such high regard. I was waiting for it.

My clone has just returned. I want to say that the Raikage did not accept our offer of alliance, but ... as it turns out ... he did not even have the courtesy to meet with me. I was ignored! How rude. My thought process was interrupted a second when she spoke. The fact that she had sent a clone to make that alliance with Kumo had slipped my mind until just when she spoke. I had forgotten all about it. It was a rather important alliance to Suna and Youka, the forging of it would have marked an increase in prosperity and security for both villages. Suna hadn't had a single alliance since after the war, everyone was skeptical of everyone. The step was huge, but . . apparently not well received. 'Why?' I couldn't help but thinking on it.

The Kage didn't even find the time to greet her at all; that was the most interesting notion above all else. There was a common courtesy for Kage's to at least meet even if demands / proposals were denied. There must have been a particular reason why the Raikage wasn't.

"The Raikage didn't meet with you at all? That's discontenting, Youka. Usually there is almost no condition on which a kage won't meet, even in war. Perhaps the Raikage was preoccupied, but the question is with what." What could have divided the attention of the strongest shinobi in that village so?

My hand moved itself all the way about her waist and pulled her in close again, allowing our skin to meet bare. The warmth and softness of her skin calmed my active mind on the subject. There were no facts, I couldn't let myself irrationally speculate.

[marvolous.]

Coma: 50EXP x2 > 100 EXP.
Addy: 40 EXP.

[addy-hime ♥]

From the tone of his voice I began to assume that I should be angry, or at least worried; indeed, for a moment these emotions seemed to swell up in my chest, but they deflated just as quickly. It wasn't that I did not wonder the outcome of this situation, it was that his flesh against my own was soothing, and it was hard to think about anything at all in this circumstance. Instead, I closed my eyes and concentrated on hearing the beat of his heart—I could already feel it, but it resonated in my ears now. Sometimes I liked to pretend that my own took up the pace of his, beating together as one ... I would never tell him that, though!

"Not everything can go as planned, I suppose. That is just life as we know it, in this world. If there is anything I do want to go smoothly though, it is our wedding. Have you found a priest yet who would bind us?"

I opened one eye to stare up at him, immensely curious as to what he would say. I expected that no man of faith would ever consent to working so closely with a shinobi, whose job it was to kill for riches. There was a church in Sunagakure to which I had been sending supplies, very graciously—in my opinion—although I had no immediate urge to be religious. Yes, I wondered often if what I did was wrong, wondered if I should repent. My guilt for Aero's death reinforced those views, but it was simply not in my nature to change such a belief ... to suddenly put all my faith in an entity I could not see, touch, or talk to.

Asato is my God.

The frivolous thought came to me and I smiled, unable to control the reaction of my lips. I had been trying all this time to live up to his legacy, to be on his level before we were wed, and yet I thought of him in this way? It was a self-fulfilling prophecy; unconsciously, I would never let myself reach his abilities, much less surpass them. He was a thing of glory to me, of radiance, as long as I held him on this pedestal, I would always be the inferior in battle. But, suddenly ... that didn't bother me at all. I leaned in quickly to press a kiss upon his chin, regardless of what he had (or had not yet) been saying. I hadn't heard a word of it.

[/font]

[Comatose]

I had once upon a time fancied myself a god amongst men, arrogance on my part, thinking my power was anything special. No, there were many just as strong as me, likely with the same delusions of grandeur and strength. I had cast aside any petty ploys for power, and might for the sake of dominance. That did not mean it had gone away, that want for it, but that I no longer sought it actively. My vies for power had been sated the moment I had laid eyes on, and confessed my love for Youka. My ability to kill, and callousness for the action had not gone away, but the need for it was replaced by my love for her. Indirectly, this meant, my need for the kill was replaced with my need for Youka.

"I found one candidate, possibly. Did you know there is a church in Suna? A priest there agreed to do the ceremony should we need it."

If I fulfilled the promise of not killing. Something of which I had already broken, by killing that prisoner just a day or so before — not that the priest needed to know.

Our wedding wasn't far off at all now, and with all the plotting of the council I grew wary of what they would do next. What if I wasn't able to protect Youka enough? What if one of us fell? There was no living without her anymore, that was for sure. I knew, in my heart, that the feeling was mutual. This being so there was no moving on, no loving another, there was only her. I loved her, and needed her so. Her position as Kage was directly interfering with the possibility of living our lives together. Why did the council want her out so badly? What had this village ever done for her?

"You should just leave this place, tsuma." I spoke.

"The council is still out to oust you, love. They won't stop. They haven't stopped. These people truly don't appreciate you. We should just leave from here forever."

[addy-hime ♥]

Yes, exactly as I thought. I felt my lips curl into a smug little smile when he mentioned the church in Sunagakure, because it was the exact place I assumed he would head first. It was more proof of his love for me; I had no doubt that the priest there put him through some rigorous test to make sure his feelings were not false or damnable. Instead of pointing this out, however, I pressed my lips to his own yet again—we were close enough together that it required very little movement indeed.

"I'm so happy you found someone! I knew there was a church, but I wasn't certain they would agree to the ceremony ... They seem to have a strong prejudice against shinobi, for whatever reason."

My last sentence was sarcastic, dripping with it, in fact. To cover up my blatant disrespect, I sweetened the moment with yet another brush of the lips. I could never get enough of his taste, so I felt no shame in my constant affections. I knew he enjoyed it just as much.

It was unfortunate, then, that he had to bring up such a touchy subject so bluntly. I inadvertently inhaled; it sounded almost like a hiss as the oxygen sucked through my teeth. Blinking, confused, I pulled back from him enough that I could study his face in its entirety. He was obviously serious, I could tell that much just from his voice, but I needed that extra assurance. Sad—there was no line of doubt on that beautiful physiognomy, no curl of the lips that would hint to me that his subject was a joke. For quite a while now I knew this day would come, the day he would bring up this most logical idea. I had been frightened of it happening, because I loved my village, but at the same time ... I knew I could never refuse him.

After all, I had just proclaimed him my God, had I not?

"The Council is a brutal force to be reckoned with, not because any singular person is more powerful than you or I, but because they work in a team. They have cohesion that this village has lacked since the War; I know it would be impossible to stop them. If I stay, they will eventually defeat me," I whispered, voice cracking at the notion of death. It had scared me when Asato threatened my life back when we first met, and I was no braver now. A coward, at best. "But if I leave, they will simply appoint someone new, someone malleable. Sunagakure is doomed either way, it seems."

Was he right, then? Was my only option to defect from the place my brother held so dear to his heart during his lifetime? I would never be happy here, always on guard, waiting for the knife to enter my back ... I had once begged Asato to take me with him, to let me become a nuke ninja at his side. Truly, as long as I was with him, I didn't care too much where we were.

"Shujin-sama, you know I cannot deny you," I began, relaxing my body against his own once again, reveling in the warmth of bare skin against bare skin. Nothing felt better, not even the sheets around us— "I submit to your superior logic on this topic. If I die, I am just as useless to my village as if I were a mere puppet for them. If we leave, we'll be much safer. Isn't that ironic? The only thing I can remind myself to make this easier is that, if I deem it necessary, I can always return to help the village."

I paused, pressing my cheek against his own and smiling, broadly, as I whispered: "When do we leave?"

[Comatose]

"It wasn't easy." I'd explain quickly as she spoke about the church. "He made it quite difficult to get him to commit. But, in the end he did."

The priest of that church, or rather, the priest that had been there at the time made me promise to his lord to not kill in any name but Youka's, a promise that was almost impossible to keep. The promise had already been somewhat broken through me killing that prisoner just a day prior, though, I had killed him in Youka's name. The logic, as twisted as it may have been, was that he would cause problems for the village and jeopardize Youka's safety — a wanted ninja hiding in the village. The twisted part came in when one knew the total situation. I was the most wanted criminal of this time-period, and under previous logic I should be no where near Youka. But, that was impossible. I loved her, and for that reason needed her, always.

I had not expected Youka to give into my suggestion so easily. Since even before we had became lovers Youka had shown such a loyalty to her village despite everything. I had never even thought for a single second that she would have said yes. Everything she had done was for the village. The only reason she would have said yes was the simple fact that we both spoke the truth. The council would not stop, not until she was dead. Her life. . was not worth the village, not to me.

"Yes, we could always return if they absolutely needed our help. I know you love this village. It is simply too dangerous here."

My hands wrapped abound her torso and pulled her closer to increase the skin contact. There was a microburst of tingling pleasure from the small contact, something associated with the closeness that only she could force my body to feel.

"We should leave immediately then, tsuma. Right now." I almost exclaimed that, wanting her to be safely with me away from this place as soon as possible, somewhere the council could not reach. As long as we were together anywhere but here was perfect.

[addy-hime ♥]

"I could never sit around and do nothing if I heard Sunagakure was in trouble."

It was the truth, and I was ultimately glad that he did not seem to have a problem with it. My love for this village paled in comparison to my love for him, but it was still a very high amount of emotion ... I would have gladly given my life for them, if I did not know my love would be lonesome without me. Ever since I met him, I knew I would not be able to simply allow myself to die; the notion already frightened me as it was, I just had an excuse now.

"But Shujin, where will we go first? I've never defected before, obviously. You'll need to show me what to do, what to bring. I would be so lost without you—"

I shivered from the pleasure of our closeness, and especially from the knowledge that he enjoyed it just as much. There was no feeling quite like loving a person and knowing, without a fraction of a doubt, that they loved you just as much in return. Sunagakure did not love me ... not its people and not its politicians. I held no sympathy for the latter, but all the loyalty in the world to my husband. That in mind, I smiled, lifting my body from its lying position so that I might hoist myself on top of Asato, straddling his hips. It was lewd, but it was lovely.

I lifted my left hand, brushing back the pink hair that veiled my face as I leaned down to kiss him, yet again. "We can leave immediately, my love. But first ... I think I have my stamina back~" I giggled mischievously against his lips and reached back, grasping the sheets and tugging them up over our bodies, so that we were perfectly concealed from the air.


fade to black?!