I heard your pleas, dearest readers, so there is the end of the scene :)

"Well, I'll bet you'll be the only one that knows what Kitsu looks like without her clothes."

His eyes darkened, need swirling in their endless depth.

"Ever since I saw you dance...", he whispered, hand lifting to land upon my collarbone.

This simple gesture caused me to shiver in anticipation. Could I, really, get a man like him to share my bed? I inched forward until our noses nearly touched.

"Makes you wonder what a body so flexible can do, right?", I taunted.

Hijikata blinked, then chuckled. He was so close that his breath fanned upon my face. "Damn, you sure can be blunt, Kitsu."

I shyly brushed hair out of his face, lingering upon the chiselled jaw I wanted to taste so badly.

"And you are blushing, Toshi. Adorable, again."

The man gave me a cheeky smile before he suddenly stood. I gasped, finding the emptiness so huge; as if walking the edge on a cliff. Wait ... was he about to send me away? I wouldn't put it past the man to do such a thing... My breath hitched as my eyes followed his silhouette; he strode to the back of the room and extracted a futon roll faster that I could blink. The cover landed in my arms with more force than I expected and I toppled backwards.

Drunk and playful Toshi was certainly a change, but I wasn't going to complain. Given he was setting the bedding ... perhaps I could stay a while longer? As he unrolled the heavy mattress, I stacked alcohol and tea beside his desk, mindful to keep it away from the paper work. When I turned around, I found Hijikata sitting sheepishly on the futon, weight balanced upon his hand.

"I'm wasted, Kitsu", he chuckled. "You got me good with that liquor."

The laughter in his voice warmed my heart, but I knew that, should any danger arise, he'd be more than operational. And I didn't care; for the moment, the sight of his relaxed shoulders, of the easy smile lifting the corner of his lips stirred something deep in my soul.

I'd scold mysef later for getting attached ... again. For the moment, though, I made a beeline for the man, and bracketed his hips with both thighs. The surroundings faded as he pulled me against him, his arms circling me tight. I claimed his lips with eagerness; he welcomed me with just as much enthusiasm.

There was no greater miracle than a warrior welcoming another's presence, accepting to be vulnerable under another's touch. I sighed contentedly. Nothing else mattered than our bodies greeting each other, tongues dancing, hands exploring. Intoxicated, I strayed from his mouth to nibble the sinful line of his jaw, then descended to taste his pulse point.

Toshizō slightly tensed before he melted altogether, his upper body sagging under my ministrations. The damn cloth covered the rest of him, and I tugged impatiently on the cotton that prevented me from diving deeper under his collar. Even now, both his kimono and juban remained unshakable in their protection of his chest. I whined, lapping at the delicious flesh of his neck. A chuckle responded, the deep rumble echoing in my own chest as he shifted the fabric aside, tugging in the right place to unravel more of his skin.

A slight wiggle of my hips brough me closer still, so close that I couldn't ignore the effect my explorations had on his body. Toshizō groaned, his hand suddenly grabbing my nape to drag me into a searing kiss that left be breathless.

"Kitsuneko", he murmured against my lips, interrupting the fenzy. My heart was beating ten thousand miles a minute, and I gently laid my forehead against his. For a moment, we both breathed in unison, bodies firmly aware of each other, only separated by layers of unwelcome rough cloth. "Grab the cover", he huskily commanded.

I obeyed as he untied his many, many layers, revealing pale skin and sinewy muscles. I watched, mesmerised, barely coherent when he laid down in nothing but his fundoshi upon the futon. So beautiful... muscles coiled in anticipation, his skin was almost flawless. His eyes burnt like the seventh gate of hell, and I snapped out of my trance to drag the cover over him. Then, protected by the tent of stuffed cotton, I divested myself of both pants and t-shirt.

Clad in plain undergarments, I hoovered over him, aching to touch. Toshizō's warm hands travelled along my spine. I shivered; the caress remained light, yet so arousing. Blood pumping in my veins, fire replaced the chill as I combusted under his touch. His fingers eventually found my hips as he pulled me over his very strained undergarments. I gasped, closing my eyes for a moment.

This is real.

He is real.

No man should ever look this handsome.

As I pulled the sports bra over my head, flinging it aside, my mouth descended upon his chest. A moan escaped when I started feasting upon smooth skin. Scars rolled under my tongue – he shivered – and I explored every inch of his beautiful body. I marvelled that he allowed me to learn him; his surrender was a present, much more than a victory. There was no battle, no claim for either of us as we shared intimacy.

Sharp breaths and quiet moans died in his throat as I kissed his humming flesh, marvelling at the thrum of his heart. Slowly, sensually, he coiled his body around mine, hands exploring my back, my hips and my legs without shame. Drunk on his taste, I returned to his lips and dove deep in the confines of his mouth. His fragrance was a drug, and I felt light headed with my need to swipe his tongue against mine.

Hard muscles coiled as Toshi suddenly moved. The warrior had had enough; at last, he took control and settled between my legs. His mouth descended along my collarbone and travelled south. I grabbed his hairtie and released it while he he took his revenge, tasting my body as I had tasted his. And even though my panties puzzled him for a moment, the intent in his beautiful eyes burnt me alive. His mouth was hot, trailing upon my skin, his touch that of a warrior.

The panties were discarded. His fundoshi followed in a flash. Burning with need, I whined and bucked against him. One slight hesitation was all it took for me to catch his feverish gaze.

"You must stop me, Kitsu", he breathed.

I blinked, enthralled, mind unable to function. But the warrior did not budge when I entwined my fingers at his nape and tugged. Toshizō growled, pulling me out of my daze, challenging me. Only then did my mind understand what he meant, and I smiled gently.

"Not a chance. You're not the first. And I want YOU."

Several emotions played over his face, had he forgotten I'd been married? Relief was the most obvious one. Deflowering a virgin was most suited to a husband than a casual lover. Another one, more fleeting, caused me to wonder if he'd be the last.

I reached out to kiss him anew, dispelling the moment of awkwardness. Our embrace became more heated, less controlled as our bodies spoke to each other. His warmth seeped into my bones and I sighed in contentment. Eventually, though, he buried himself inside of me, and my whole body arched to meet him with a gasp. Then, I surrounded him, daring him to escape.

He didn't even try.

I wasn't one to play kiss and tell, but damn, I would never forget this moment. How could I, when the vision of Hijikata undone was carved in my mind.

Long, raven hair flew about, tracing dancing shadows across his pale skin. I couldn't help but stare, mesmerised by the vision offered to my very eyes. Stare until his passion overwhelmed my senses. He covered my mouth with his, trying to stifle the moans that escaped me as my body writhed underneath his, around him down to the last muscle. I tried, so hard, to keep quiet when my hands grabbed his shoulders, his forearms, desperately looking for an anchor.

I bit my lip hard, allowing myself to lose control; unravelled by his ministrations. We both twisted in bliss, just a man and a woman, sharing an intimate moment until we fell over. Spent, and panting. As we lay, tangled upon the cotton mattress, Fukuchō and the Keeper of time awaited outside the room. Our respective mantles meant nothing as I buried myself in his arms, basking in the afterglow.

"You are beauty incarnated", I whispered.

Silence. Stunned, surprised, or shy? I bit my lip, again, finding a tiny cut from my attempt at keeping quiet earlier on.

"I know you guys don't voice feelings much...", I murmured. His quiet hum echoed in my chest, and I tightened the grip upon his arm as I went on. "I was raised in a family where this isn't common occurrence either."

A wet sensation met my neck, and I titled my head aside to allow him more access. After a while, I felt his hot breath caressing my cheek.

"So what happened ?", he asked.

I turned around in his arms, searching for the gems of his eyes in the darkness.

"People died before I could tell them."

Hijikata's eyes flickered with curiosity; half lidded in the night.

"Boromir ?"

"Aye. We fought a lot. He was one stubborn son of a ...". I stopped, nibbling on my lower lip. "And then he just fell... Now I'd better live with remorse rather than regrets. So I'm telling you, I've rarely seen anything more beautiful that you unleashed."

He straightened into a sitting position, reaching for the lamp to blow the flame. Suddenly, his room became too dark to distinguish anything else than the mop of dark hair upon his head. For a moment, I wondered if he was about to kick me out... then he settled again, pulled the covers, and gathered me in his arms.

"Hai, you really unleashed the demon, Kitsu", his voice rumbled in his chest, causing mine to hum in sync. "And you are, also, beautiful. Might write a poem out of it ... someday."

There was no mistaking the exhaustion in his voice; this was the moment where I fled, or...

"Can I stay?", I timidly asked.

I didn't want to intrude, but the tightening of his arms around me was answer enough. Was there any place, in 1867, more peaceful, more sheltering that his body around mine? For the very first time since I landed here, nearly a year ago, I felt completely safe.

"I won't allow you to leave", he whispered in my hear.

I'd die for that voice, damn. So I relaxed, my head cushioned over his chest.

"Night night, Toshi."

"Oyasumi, Kitsu."