Bloom

Epilogue

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Well, a couple people suggested it and I wasn't completely averse to the idea ;P, so I wrote a lemon ^_^. Be warned!! If you didn't see it on the main page, this is yaoi, and extremely lemon. The story works just fine without it, so don't say I didn't warn you!!!

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I can't believe it, I marvel, for the millionth time in the past month. How could he possibly... I feel the drunkenly elated smile steal across my face, and hide it immediately. But the giddy feeling that has been plaguing me for the last few weeks remains. I lean back idly in the fork of my tree, replaying hundreds of recent scenes in my head. Kurama, how can you ...

A reassuring smile to stop me feeling nervous. A word before a battle, a hand on my shoulder. After we confessed our feelings for each other, I didn't know what would happen. I expected him to avoid me... since it was my own first impulse. But he had shown me in so many small ways that I had nothing to fear, that it was all right... A stolen kiss when no one was looking... Gentle hands binding my wounds, his soft voice whispering, "Ai shiteru, Hiei..."

Oh Kurama... how can you love me? But it isn't a lament. It's an exultation. I know. The glorious certainty of the feeling wraps around me like a blanket. Kurama loves me.

I relax my neck and gaze up at the evening sky through the screen of leaves. The play of blue against black, the rustling of leaves in a gentle breeze, begins to lull me to sleep. Suddenly a familiar ki makes itself felt.

I nearly fall out of the tree as I turn to look. "Kurama?! How did you get here?"

There he is, grinning up at me from below, his arms wrapped around the tree trunk. He makes no answer, but winks at me, a mischievous expression on his beautiful face. Then his eyes close, his face drawn slightly in concentration.

I jump back as a small burst of white erupts next to me. I jerk back my hand as another appears near it. ...A flower... My flower! I realize. That's the same flower I gave Kurama!

I look down to see him smiling, his eyes still shut in concentration. More and more of the huge white blooms spring up all over the tree, turning it from green to white, illuminating the dark jungle.

Standing now, on the branch, I marvel at the profusion of fragile white blooms around me. So beautiful... A few last flowers open near me, spreading their delicate petals wide in the moonlight. For a moment, all I can do is gape. The very air is infused with Kurama's ki so the entire tree feels like a warm embrace.

Suddenly, I feel a shove at my back and fall off the branch. I land, stunned, in Kurama's arms. I collect myself and jump away, glaring up into the tree at the vine that pushed me, then back at the Youko who summoned it.

"Baka," I growl, somehow failing to sound more than mildly annoyed.

Kurama smiles, lighting up his face and outshining the brilliant white blossoms above. He opens his arms.

"Itooshi..."

Beloved... I blink at him, not quite registering that the word was meant for me. Before I can react, he steps forward and enfolds me in his arms. I draw back reflexively. But the gentle pressure of his arms never lessens, and gradually, I relax-- slightly--against him. For an awkward moment, I stand stiffly, hands at my sides, unsure of what to do. Tentatively, I raise one hand, place it on his waist. When he doesn't flinch away, I slide first one, then another arm around him, gently returning his embrace.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. Kurama makes a small amused sound, and I look up into those deep green eyes.

He smiles warmly at me, and my nervousness begins to dissolve. I realize exactly where I am, become conscious of Kurama's body close to mine. I almost panic, hold him tightly in sudden fear that he will vanish and prove to be a dream.

His eyes light up in response, I feel his arms tighten around me, reassuring. Kurama... I feel a sudden swell of words, clamouring in my head, wanting to be spoken. But none of them quite fit the feelings I want to express, are quite refined enough to make him understand what he is to me. So I say nothing but, "Kurama..." and leave the rest unsaid.

I can tell he understands. He runs his fingers through the coarse hair at my temple, and I lean into his palm as it brushes my cheek.

Could he, does he, know how much his love means to me? I wish I had the mastery of language he does... he could express what I feel, but I can't... Except maybe....

I reach up, caress his face, my fingers tingling at the touch of his skin. He closes his eyes. Taking a breath to steel myself, I slide my hand behind his head and pull him down into a kiss.

He kneels down to meet me, his lips meet mine. I gasp at the sweetness of the feeling, his silky lips against my own... Kurama... He gives a soft moan, the sweetness of the sound sending a sliver of ice through my heart. I clasp his face in both hands, lean forwards, hesitantly part his lips with my tongue.

His arms wind around my waist, pulling me closer. Shivering with delight, I dare to explore his mouth further, slipping my tongue inside a fraction at a time. I stifle a cry as his tongue twists to meet mine, his light touches to my own mouth sending fire and ice through my veins. Kurama... He leans back suddenly, drawing me with him, and I find myself on top of him, pinning him to the soft grassy ground. A feeling like static electricity on a winter night screams through me. The feeling of possession, the absolute trust he has given me makes my head swim.

Kurama, itooshi, kitsune, koibito... Nothing but a thousand different names for him flowing through my mind. My Youko, my Kurama... I draw back at last, almost wanting to cry at breaking that kiss. Kurama holds my lip for a moment, running his tongue over it one last time, then releases me, opening his eyes.

"Kurama...?" I manage to whisper. I can hardly stand the separation now, realize exactly what I want...

"Hai, koibito?" he whispers back, and the depth of love in his eyes is almost frightening.

"Kurama..." I breathe, running my fingers over his face, through his brilliant red hair. Both seeing and touching him sends stabbing pangs of longing through me. "Is this what you..." I pause, unsure how to ask. "Do you want me--"

He places a finger on my lips, then traces a slow line over my cheek, under my chin. "Yes," he says in a low, intense voice, answering several questions at once. "Yes, Hiei, you and only you."

He's said it. Oh, kitsune... I kiss him again, trying to express myself in actions rather than words. Reluctantly, I break the kiss, moving lower to taste his neck, the underside of his chin, tracing up with my tongue behind his ear. Ecstacy, to feel him respond to me, to hear his breathing quicken as I touch him. I nip lightly at his earlobe, swirl my tongue around it. I want to know every detail of my fox. My tongue darts out to lick his cheek. I bury my nose briefly in the crimson waves of his hair, breathing the scent in deeply, revelling in its silken softness, and the fragrance that is so distinctly Kurama.

I move lower, my hands struggling impatiently with the silk ties of his shirt. I vanquish the first two, spread the cloth open, baring his collarbone. I lick the hollow at the base of his neck, then blow softly onto it, watch him shiver, as my fingers gropingly undo the remaining ties. Finally the shirt falls open. I pause to appreciate his exquisite form. I smooth my hands over the perfect planes of his chest, his shoulders, suffering another pang at the thought that this divine being has given himself to me...

I slide the sleeves off one arm at a time and toss the shirt away. I pause, uncertain of what exactly to do next. Kurama shows me. He sits up, unwinds my scarf swiftly, pulls my shirt over my head as I lift my hands to oblige. He kisses me now, his fingers clasped behind my head, his tongue reaching, teasing, tasting. He slides his hands behind me, finds the pressure point in the small of my back and begins to exploit it. Jets of ice water spurt through my system. No... I want to take my time with this, concentrate on him. I ease him back down gently, lay his arms back at his sides.

"Let me," I whisper, very close, then kiss the tip of his ear.

As I lean forward I become aware of my own bare skin against Kurama's... the sensation feeding a crackling dry ice feeling deep in the pit of my stomach. I moan softly in spite of myself, cover it in another kiss, then plant a light kiss on each of Kurama's closed eyelids. And one on the tip of his perfect nose. I nuzzle the side of his face, rubbing against his chest as I do so. My hands travel down, tracing the contours of his body. An audible gasp escapes him as my fingertips brush his nipples briefly, then move on to explore the sensitive regions of his spine.

I smile, leaning back a little to admire my lover's face, exquisitely drawn in pleasure. He arches up towards me as my knowledge of nerves and pressure points plays itself out over his back, releasing tension in all the key pleasure areas. I begin to relax myself, realizing that I can please him.

Kurama's perfect torso is so close to my mouth now, I can't resist. I lean down, and trail my tongue over the ridge of muscle under his collarbone. Still promising myself to go slowly, I follow a path slowly down the center of his chest. Kurama lets out a low moan and twines his fingers in my hair. The need in his voice spurs me on, I have to make this perfect for him... I trace the ridge of his bottom rib, running the fingers of one hand over the rock hard perfection of his abdomen as the other continues to massage his back. I retrace my path upwards, circle the pectoral muscle and spiral slowly in towards the nipple.

He arches further up to meet my tongue, but I pull away at the last moment, darting my tongue out just briefly to wet the tip of his nipple. A strangled utterance of frustration issues from his lips, his fingers tightening in my hair. Tease, I chide myself, and immediately close my lips around the sensitive spot in apology. Kurama's body arches higher, a small cry reaching my ears. The sound drives me wild. I swirl my tongue around the nipple, tasting him hungrily, my hand stroking the other.

I feel Kurama's hands at my waist, unfastening my belts and tugging at my pants. I kick off my boots, moving to help him while continuing my assault on his chest. I slide my hands down to undo his sash, pull down the soft silk pants. Kurama gives another moan as I move to suckle his other nipple, reaches down and struggles free of his last item of clothing.

At last, we are both naked. The heat of our bodies against each other is overwhelming... even for me. I kiss him. Deeply. The kiss hungrier, rougher this time on both sides. Kurama's cool, delicate hands flutter over my back, sending contrasting shivers down my spine as the heat builds between us.

I freeze suddenly as my sex lightly brushes his. I gasp as the lightening sensation radiates out from that point, then gathers there, building. Kurama's head is thrown back, his face beautifully flushed. He lifts his slender legs on either side of me, wrapping them around my back and drawing me forwards between them.

"Ku--Kurama!" I gasp as I realize what he is offering me. He nods, drawing a long, shuddering breath, tightening his legs around me and pulling me further forward. My heart quickens to a maddening pace, making me feel lightheaded. I find my length resting at his entrance. "Kurama...?" I ask again, wildly unsure.

"Please..." his voice breaks. The raw need in it is painful.

Kurama... I take hold of his waist with both hands, and try to ease myself in slowly.

We gasp together as I enter. Only the tip of my length is inside him, but the sensation is overwhelming, the pressure all around feeds the intense burning ache between my legs.

I push in farther, drawing a small whimper from Kurama. I hesitate, afraid I have hurt him. His legs tighten around me, pulling me into him. My breath comes in ragged gasps. I hold tightly onto his waist and push all the way in.

The world around us goes black and starts to spin. It seems as if Kurama is the only fixed point in the universe. My mind and body explode with sensation. All I am aware of is Kurama. Kurama around me, Kurama in my arms, his length pressed hot and erect between us, Kurama... I thrust into him deeply, overcome with desire. He moans, clings to me, arches to meet me. Our bodies entwine, rock to a mutual rhythm. The only sound is our ragged breathing, and Kurama's moans of pleasure.

I can feel the pleasure building within me, know I am not far from release. I thrust further, run my hand down to close over Kurama's length. His fingers dig into my back, his breath coming in passionate whimpers of ecstacy. Kurama... The pressure around my length increases, squeezing me until I am certain I can't hold on any longer. Desperate not to fail him, I press Kurama's length harder, drawing a strangled cry from him. He throws back his head, and we strain against each other. For a moment our combined heartbeats pound out time at incredible volume amidst the silence. Then, in a monumental rush, our bodies convulse together and release.

Kurama cries out my name, crushing me to him as his sex throbs in my hand and spurts his seed over my stomach. The warm wetness between us spreads as I feel myself explode inside him. My passion flows out of me in a wave, pouring into him and I bite down hard on my lip to stifle a cry, drawing blood.

At last we collapse together, breathing heavily, and the world fades slowly back into view. We lie there, panting, trying to still our hearts to their original pace.

I kiss him tenderly and pull reluctantly out. I roll onto my back next to him and draw him up in my arms, a satisfied sigh escaping me. Kurama's arms wind around my waist and he kisses my neck, then my cheek. "Hiei..." his arms tighten around me, and I pull him closer in response.

A wonderful calm settles over me. My entire body feels completely drained, marvellously lazy. A slight breeze blows over my sweaty skin, making me shiver and snuggle into Kurama. My eyelids feel heavy. A sweet drowsiness washes over me and I yawn, turning my face to Kurama's to gaze into his deep emerald eyes. I see the same elated exhaustion mirrored in his beautiful face. I brush a few strands of hair back from his face, he kisses the palm of my hand. He smiles... I realize I would do anything to see him smile like that...

I sigh again, unable to hide my contentment. "I--love you Kurama," I whisper.

He smiles back, kisses me softly. "I know."

He reaches over me, draws my cloak over us. I'm having more and more trouble keeping my eyes open. He nestles against my chest, his arms tightly around me. "And I love you, Hiei."

I fall asleep surrounded by the scent of flowers and Kurama.

--By Utopian Trunks, June 14, 1998

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Phew! I was beginning to think I'd never finish it! Well, if you liked it (or if you hate it, or have any kind of comments or suggestions ;P ), please e-mail me!! This is the first lemon I've ever written and I'm kinda nervous about it...